The Shaping of Middle-Earth -- J. R. R. Tolkien

<b>Poems and prose, maps and chronologies, detours and diversions along the road to Middle-earth . . . Christopher Tolkien has gathered archival materials that his late father, J. R. R. Tolkien, used to create the world and the history behind his classic stories.</b> <p/>This fourth volume of The History of Middle-earth presents early versions of those first tales, from the creation myth to the fall of Morgoth. Writings include a chronology of the events in Beleriand, the first Silmarillion map, and the only known description of the physical nature of Middle-earth's universe. Detailed annotations highlight changes ranging from the spelling of Elvish names to pivotal emendations whose effects reach even to the war of the ring. <p/><i>The Shaping of Middle-earth</i> presents a solid framework by which to trace the development of the early lore of Middle-earth. It is a truly indispensable reference work for those familiar with the history of that endlessly beloved land--and fascinating reading for those just entering that world.<br><br><b>Author:</b> J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien<br><b>Publisher:</b> Del Rey Books<br><b>Published:</b> 10/30/1995<br><b>Pages:</b> 480<br><b>Binding Type:</b> Paperback<br><b>Weight:</b> 0.52lbs<br><b>Size:</b> 6.97h x 4.14w x 1.12d<br><b>ISBN:</b> 9780345400437<br><p><b>About the Author</b><br><b>John Ronald Reuel Tolkien</b> was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. After serving in World War I, he embarked upon a distin