You can find them at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CJKv6pAUQ57vU0u-IW1GyZ60vmx0QEO7/view?usp=sharing ; feel free to tweak them as you wish...
Here's a tiny sample of a way you can scrapbook and make them even more fun to use:
At last! finished the updating
At last I've gone through all of the old reading plans and made corrections. I made the updates directly in the below plans. I'd be more surprised than anyone if there were not still good tweaks to be made, but I don't plan to trouble you with them.
Wishing you the very happiest of reading!
A free book for you that includes hobbitian menus!
-- as in lots and lots of fun foods, and also includes celebrating Tolkien holidays I celebrate, such as his birthday in the first installment, on January 3. Of course I'm not stealing a thing from Dr. Tolkien and his family! but simply use his hobbitian meal schedule on such holidays -- per the books, not the movies! Here's a glimpse of what's coming in March so you can see what I mean:
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-1st-of-12-installments-of-wonderful.html
And here is February!
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-2nd-of-12-installments-of-wonderful.html
...and March:
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-3rd-of-12-installments-of-wonderful.html
...April:
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-4th-of-12-installments.html
...May:
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-5th-of-12-installments-of-wonderful.html
...June:
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-6th-of-12-installments-of-wonderful.html
...July:
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-7th-of-12-installments-of-wonderful.html
...August:
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-8th-of-12-installments-of-wonderful.html
...September:
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-9th-of-12-installments-of-wonderful.html
...October:
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/09/the-10th-of-12-installments-of.html
...November:
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-11th-of-12-installments-of.html
...and December -- now it's complete! Enjoy!!
http://favoritefoodthisweek.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-last-of-12-installments-of.html
About my preferred reading lists on this site
(I usually don't list book introductions,
glossaries, maps, etc; consult them as you wish; though I do mention some
important ones you might otherwise miss. Also, I don't want to re-read the
textual notes, and I don't recommend anyone read them at all unless they're
interested in that sort of thing, unless I mention them as helpful.)
(I have numbered my own – not
Tolkien's – "chapters" consecutively rather than separately within
each section so I don't get mixed up. Page numbers are just for the editions I
own.)
ORDER (though few have all
the components)
all in chronological,
including dates given if possible (with the caveat that Tolkien has a couple
different dating systems)
a. the best
telling of the at least somewhat accepted story as it has come to us,
b. further
fascinating facts to do with that story,
c. any very
interesting retelling(s) (be aware that some – especially The Book of Lost
Tales' 2 volumes – can differ a lot, but they are really fun anyway; but if
you're afraid you'll get too mixed up read them for themselves separately all
the way through),
d. any happy
or otherwise interesting future stuff usually not covered above,
e. and any
interesting notes re evolution of the above (I include only a few of
Christopher Tolkien's notes because though valuable I'm rarely super interested
in them)
My Favorite Stories: The Beginning and The Years of the Stars and Trees
The First Set of Stories
THE BEGINNING
(length unknown)
and then
THE YEARS OF THE STARS AND TREES
(lasting 3,000 of their years, possibly 30,000 of our years)
The first 10,000 years of those 30,000 or so were only The Years of the Stars; Valinor was built about 5,000 years into that; after the Years of the Stars 11,000 were The Years of the Trees; then 9,000 were The Years of Darkness towards the end of which the moon and then the sun were made. "It is said that the Valar came into the world 30,000 Sun-years ere the first rising of the Moon.…A Year of Valar is in length well nigh as are 10 of the years that now are." (Note that many of the years are as of The Grey Annals; but the Annals of Valinor give the years as about twice each date if I understand correctly.)
Chapter One: How Much Began
THE STORY: Morgoth's Ring The History of Middle Earth Vol. 10 Part One
Silmarillion 2 chapters:
its Quenta Silmarillion Chapter 1: Beginning of Days
+ unnumbered chapter Valaquenta
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
Don't miss (in Ainulindalë, I prefer the version in Morgoth's Ring) how Melkor worked in different parts of the universe – yet another place where many more stories could be told! Also there:
Also there: pp 41-42 about Morgoth and why the moon is uninhabited!
(If you really want information now on the shape of the universe, you may want to consult The History of Middle Earth Vol. 4: The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Chapter V, though that also covers much later material so I've listed it here to read later.)
INTERESTING RETELLING(S): Note you will see some in the next chapter that also includes later material. (You also would have seen overlapping above; this will happen in this plan…)
Chapter Two: How the Dwarves, Ents, and Eagles Began
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ THIS: Within the below Book of Lost Tales, Part I, in its chapter Coming of the Valar and the Building of Valinor, maps pp 83, 87 and some of their explanation
THE STORY: Silmarillion's Quenta Silmarillion Chapter 2: Aule and Yavanna
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:"The light of Valinor…is the light of art undivorced from reason." (The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p148)
Don't miss these bits when you read the below Book of Lost Tales, Part I:
I enjoyed its poems within the notes which I mostly otherwise skipped.
in its chapter III Coming of the Valar and the Building of Valinor:
explanation of the origins of peoples such as brownies, pixies, leprachauns! on pp 65-66
descriptions of the houses of the gods, pp 74-80
the mention of "monsters, giants, ogres" pp 75-76
INTERESTING RETELLING(S): The Book of
Lost Tales, Part I, The Tales of
Valinor (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 1), re this and above (note that next time I would prefer to read
all of the 2 volumes of The Book of Lost Tales much later, when it "happened," when the mariner happened
upon the magical place, and list it below with Chapter Twenty, but I am also keeping
the lists within the retellings in case you prefer to read them now):
I Cottage of Lost
Play for background (next time I would read the latest-version Kortirion poem
within its notes) (note that though I skip most of the notes in the Lost Tales
volumes, I always check out their poems)
+ II The Music of the Ainur
+ III The Coming
of the Valar and the Building of Valinor
Note there will be more about dwarves in a later chapter.
Chapter Three: Early Years of the Elves, and the Beginning of the Silmaril Jewels
THE STORY: Silmarillion's Quenta Silmarillion Chapters 3 through 11:
3 Coming of Elves and Captivity of Melkor (elves awoke in First Age Year 1050, Melkor was captured in 1090)
+ 4 Thingol and Melian (who met in 1130)
+ 5 Eldamar and Princes of Eldalie (the summons was in 1132, but this chapter covers many years)
+ 6 Feanor and Unchaining of Melkor (includes year 1490)
+ 7 Silmarils and Unrest of the Noldor (silmaril stones were made in year x)
+ 8 Darkening of Valinor (includes year 1495)
+ 9 Flight of Noldor (includes year 1497)
+ 10 Sindar (includes c1200 through 1497)
+ 11 Sun and Moon and Hiding of Valinor (to end of the First Age)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS: Don't miss these bits when you read the below Book of Lost Tales, Part I:
in its chapter IV The Chaining of Melko: the description of an elven queen's home, pp 101-102
in its chapter V Coming of Elves and Making of Kor:
description of elves' homes and lifestyles including making gems including the silmarils, pp 132 and 136-138
the lovely poem on pp 152-153 (written in an army camp during his soldier days)
in its chapter VI Theft of Melko and Darkening of Valinor:
the description of how the elves recorded their lore, pp 155, 157
re important Valar and elvish holidays, pp 157-158
in its chapter VII Flight of Noldoli:
what happened to the elvish records of their lore, p. 181
an explanation of elvish health and nutrition, p. 183
in its chapter IX Hiding of Valinor:
rainbow story, from p.239
the way to beyond Earth, p 243
the strange visitors to do with time, pp 245-247
And don't miss these from the below Morgoth's Ring:
why we no longer see elves, p 212's 1st full b
cool words: lámatyávë (individual pleasure in the forms and sounds of words); inwisti (mind-mood) (pp 215, 216)
about the future, new Arda, pp 251b-252t
Also see on types of elves: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, pp176 4th through 177 t.
If you wish re star names: note at beginning of Index to The History of Middle Earth Vol. 10: Morgoth's Ring: Part Three: The Later Quenta Silmarillion.
Also note that Legolas has Maian ancestry! (per Silmarillion ch 4) as a Sindar elf.
Also enjoy The History of Middle Earth Vol. 10: Morgoth's Ring: Part Three: The Later Quenta Silmarillion's pp 209-252 on elves' childhoods and lives and customs (including Tolkien's footnotes but the notes only as wish).
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 3: The Lays of Beleriand: Part II unnumbered section 1: The Flight of the Noldoli from Valinor (includes year 1497)
The
Book of Lost Tales, Part I, The Tales
of Valinor (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 1):
+ IV The Chaining
of Melko
+ V Coming of Elves and Making of Kor
+ VI Theft of Melko and Darkening of Valinor
+ VII Flight of Noldoli
+ VIII Sun and Moon
+ IX Hiding of Valinor
IF you want summaries, see:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 5: The Lost Road and Other Writings: Part 2, part of Chapter II: The Later Annals of Valinor up to Valar Year 2995 (up to p129)
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part 1: The Grey Annals up to Section 41 Of the Coming of the Noldor (part of the year 1497) (up to p16)
My Favorite Stories: The First Age
The Second Set of Stories
THE FIRST AGE OF THE SUN
(lasting 601 years)
(Some conjecture that this began on March 25, 10160 BCE in our reckoning)
Chapter Four: Early Men, Elves in Middle Earth, and The War of the Silmaril Jewels
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ THIS: Be aware of the maps in:
The History of Middle Earth
Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part
2 The Later Quenta Silmarillion, under II. Beleriand and Its Realms (pp. 182-185).
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 5: The Lost Road and Other Writings: Appendix III The Second Silmarillion Map
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 4: The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Chapter IV and the First Silmarillion Maps on the inside covers.
THE STORY: Silmarillion's Quenta Silmarillion Chapters 12 through 20 re years
1 through 473:
12 Men
+ 13 Return of Noldor (First
Age years 1-260)
+ 14 Beleriand
+ 15 Noldor in Beleriand
(52-70)
+ 16 Maeglin (304-330)
+ 17 Coming of Men into the
West (310-425)
+ 18 Ruin of Beleriand and
Fall of Fingolfin (455-462)
+ 19 Beren and Luthien
(462-468)
+ 20 Fifth Battle Nirnaeth
Arnoediad (473)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
About the dwarves: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part 2 The Later Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 13 (Concerning the Dwarves)'s section Of the Naugrim and the Edain (pp. 203-215 in my edition, especially the earlier info)
Genealogies of men: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part 2 The Later Quenta Silmarillion, about the latter half of Chapter 14 (Of the Coming of Men into the West), under The House of Beor then The House of Hador then The Haladin (pp. 230-238, especially the actual charts)
Don't miss these bits when you read the below Book of Lost Tales, Part I:
in its chapter X Travail of Noldoli and Coming of Mankind another wizard! pp 262ff and also there our oldest human relatives
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part 4 Quendi and Eldar (unless you're into languages, I'd just do section C The Clan Names including how very few elves the world started with pp380-385; Appendix B Elvish Names for the Dwarves including an explanation of the Petty Dwarves p388; Appendix D Words for Language its last couple pages on writing systems and on the gathering of elven lore pp396-397; Note on the Language of the Valar re how it sounded p398 and comparing it with human language p402 and just before author's notes re telepathy and elven lore pp406-407; and its Appendix The Legend of the Awakening of the Quendi which is another story! pp420-424)
IF you're interested in various languages, see: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth, Part Two, XI: The Shibboleth of Feanor (though it has info all the way into the 4th Age I think it is of interest right now).
INTERESTING RETELLING(S): NOTE there will be more about Beren & Luthien and also the silmarils in later chapters.
The Book of Lost Tales, Part I, The Tales of Valinor (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 1),
X Travail of Noldoli and Coming of Mankind
IF you want even more summary, see: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part 1 The Grey Annals continue especially history of elves, from Section 41 Of the Coming of the Noldor part of the year 1497 of the Valar Years up to where begins history of especially men in year 370 of the 1st Age of the Sun (pp16-48) (skipping the notes at the end unless have a question).
APOCRYPHAL STORIES YOU MAY LIKE OR NOT:
Re the relation of hobbits to humans: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow: Chapter XIX, p. 310 bottom through p.314 1st.
HAPPY OR OTHERWISE INTERESTING FUTURE STUFF NOT COVERED ABOVE: Actually within my last chapert’s Book of Lost Tales, Part I: in its chapter IX Hiding of Valinor: how the Valar could have been greater and how important humans might be, p 248.
Chapter Five: The Stories of Hurin and His Children in Late Years of the First Age of the Sun
THE STORY: The Children of Hurin all except its appendix 1
+ The History of Middle Earth Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part 3 Chapter I: The Wanderings of Hurin (re First Age year 501) (has much more than I know of elsewhere on this; a welcome look at more of Hurin's personality)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
On the history of Dragon Helm: Unfinished Tales the last couple pages of Part One The First Age, Chapter II's The Departure of Túrin, pp 75-76
On Saeros: Unfinished Tales Part One The First Age, Chapter II's Túrin in Doriath's 3rd paragraph, p77
On Turin's grey hair and also the lifestyles of some elves: The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): II Turambar and Foaloke (of Turin) p81.
On elvish lanterns: The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): II Turambar and Foaloke (of Turin) p78.
Re dragons: The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): II Turambar and Foaloke (of Turin), pp142-143.
On how the Valar sometimes "interfere," summarized on pp141-142 of The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): II Turambar and Foaloke (of Turin).
At least at one point Tolkien was fine with not writing all the stories down, as is true of any myth. (The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, pp144b-145t).
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 3: The Lays of Beleriand: Part I The Lay of the Children of Hurin UP TO Second Version of the Lay read a bit later (though the main story is covered elsewhere, this is a verse version with the usual extra details of poetry)
ONLY if you're really interested in reading more (I would skip it next time except as noted above and below re some interesting facts): The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): II Turambar and Foaloke (of Turin).
HAPPY OR OTHERWISE INTERESTING FUTURE STUFF NOT COVERED ABOVE: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part Two, XII. The Problem of Ros just the more complete description of Turin's future in the long note 17.
INTERESTING MANUSCRIPT NOTES: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part 1 The Grey Annals: just all 3 notes at the end re Children of Hurin, Battle of Unnumbered Tears, and Hurin and Huor to Gondolin; those notes begin at page 161 in my copy. They are especially interesting re an alternate ending to the Children of Hurin.
The Children of Hurin appendix 1, The Evolution of the Great Tales
Chapter Six: The Ruin of Doriath
Note that my chapters 6 and 7 overlap.
THE STORY: Silmarillion's Quenta Silmarillion Chapter 22 (re First Age years 502-505): Ruin of Doriath
And for a non-canonical but only complete account of the Nauglafring: The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): IV Nauglafring.
FASCINATING FACTS: About an interesting ability of dwarves to understand "the languages of plant and stone": The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XII, 221b-222t.
INTERESTING MANUSCRIPT NOTES: just the part at the end of The History of Middle Earth Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part 3 Chapter V: The Tale of Years its last section, re the Silmarillion chapter 22
Chapter Seven: More of the Tale of Beren and Luthien
THE STORY:
Beren and Luthien
FASCINATING FACTS: In the below Hurin lay: I enjoyed the interesting bits about Beleg; is there a rumor he was like a wizard?? pp 25-26, 127 in my ed.
In the below The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): I Tinuviel (of Beren and Luthien): why certain elves are so musical, p42; how the Valar sometimes "interfere," summarized on p68.
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 3: The Lays of Beleriand: Parts III + IV: The Lay of Leithian through the end
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 3: The Lays of Beleriand: Part I The Lay of the Children of Hurin, Second Version of the Lay (though the main story is covered elsewhere, this is a verse version with the usual extra details of poetry) (In spite of its title, this has a lot about Beren and Luthien, and also about Aragorn; NOTE if you have not read Fellowship of the Ring you should probably wait and read this after that, and even if you have you might enjoy reading this then instead.)
(keeping in mind this is a different version but still very useful, more than just interesting:) The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): I Tinuviel (of Beren and Luthien)
A different version of the poem: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow: Chapter X, pp. 180-182.
A different? retelling by Aragorn: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow: Chapter X, pp. 182-184.
HAPPY OR OTHERWISE INTERESTING FUTURE STUFF NOT COVERED ABOVE: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 5: The Lost Road and Other Writings: Part 2, Chapter VI: Quenta Silmarillion, just re ends of Beren and Luthien, the end of the notes re 12-15, beginning p. 334.
Don't miss from above about their future in The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): I Tinuviel (of Beren and Luthien), pp40-41, 60; IV Nauglafring, p240.
OTHER MEDIA YOU MIGHT WANT TO ENJOY AT THIS POINT:
The tape of Christopher Tolkien reading this story from the Silmarillion (Tape Four)
Chapter Eight: The Story of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ THIS: When you are at stories about Celegorm and Curufin, see for a discussion of their motives and a map and a discussion of geography The History of Middle Earth Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part 3 Chapter III Maeglin pp 327-330.
THE STORY:
Fall of Gondolin (I would only re-read “The Original Tale”
and “The Last Version”)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS: Don't miss in the above The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): III Fall of Goldolin (note this is repeated in Fall of Gondolin’s “The Original Tale”)
re Ulmo's music, p155
an alternate origin of orcs, pp159-160, 219
a good description of Gondolin, p160
robots, p170
Gondolin festivals, pp171-172
Gondolin soldiers, pp172-174
human cities mentioned by Tolkien, p196
INTERESTING RETELLINGS:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 3: The Lays of Beleriand: Part II last, unnumbered section 3: Lay of the Fall of Gondolin (I enjoyed the new bits of verse, though the story is often a different version)
IF you wish a summary, especially if you are interested in battle stories, read: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels: Part 1 The Grey Annals finish (from paragraph 120; re years 370-499 of the 1st Age of the Sun) (from page 48 in my edition).
Chapter Nine: Stories of Eärendil (Tuor's son and Elrond's father)
THE STORY: Silmarillion's Quenta Silmarillion Chapter 24 (re First Age years 543-601): Voyage of Earendil and War of Wrath
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS: The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): re world geography, p261.
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 4: The Shaping of Middle-Earth: re what the fading of elves means p. 33m; re Britain/England p. 39 2nd from bottom and p. 199.
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 4: The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Appendix 2 of a song Tuor made for Earendil.
The Book of Lost Tales, Part II, Other Tales of Elfinesse (AKA The History of Middle Earth Vol. 2): V Earendil, just the poems.
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 3: The Lays of Beleriand: Part II unnumbered section 2: Lay of Earendil.
If want date references: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 4: The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Chapter VII.
On Earendil and Bilbo's poem re: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter V, poems on pp. 91-96m, 99 near b to 102t, 102m-103b for background, NOTE 103b-105m give the actual finalized form of Earendillinwe. (NOTE TO SELF: Would be lovely to memorize 91b-92t.)
Morgoth's Ring Part 4
INTERESTING MANUSCRIPT NOTES: Re various things from the First Age of the Sun:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 5: The Lost Road and Other Writings:
Part 2, Chapter III: The Later Annals of Beleriand, just the discussion of the Drowning of Beleriand at the end re Annal 350.
+ Part 2, Chapter V: The Lhammas, just skimming the text and skipping the commentary except for its charts; concentrating on how not all languages produced written works, and which ones survived in what type of writings or as spoken tongues of which there's a chart p213
+ Part 2, Chapter VI: Quenta Silmarillion, just these parts:
Aelfwine's note on who originally
wrote the ancient texts – Pengalod the Wise etc, beginning p. 222 in my ed.;
various
ancient names of the elves, commentary beginning p. 236
+ Part 3, The Etymologies ONLY if you're into languages
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth:
Part Two, XII. The Problem of Ros just note 13 re the Atani
Part Three, XIV: part of the Teachings of Pengolod: Dangweth Pengolod (an explanation of why elvish languages changed; a real pleasure to read; note the picture of its illuminated manuscript in the frontispiece; I loved "The Eldar being skilled and eager in art will readily make things new, both for delight to look on, or to hear, or to feel, or for daily use: be in vessels or raiment or in speech.")
HAPPY OR OTHERWISE INTERESTING FUTURE STUFF: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 4: The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Chapter II, p. 41 top.
My Favorite Stories: The Second Age
The Third Set of Stories
THE SECOND AGE
OF THE SUN
(lasting 3,441 years)
(Some
conjecture that this began on December 26, 9564 BCE in our reckoning)
Chapter Ten: The General History of Numenor
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ
THIS:
Map of Numenor, Unfinished Tales beginning
of Second Age (p164).
Numenor kings' geneology from Eldros, Unfinished Tales Aldarion and Erendis chapter (p210).
THE STORY:
Return
of the King: Appendix A, its introduction + I, i only, Numenor (re the
First Age through end of the Second Age)
Silmarillion's
Akallabeth (the Chapter after its long Quenta Silmarillion)
+ Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age (its last Chapter) only up to "Thus began the Third Age" (my p.304) (re year 3441)
Akallabeth (the Chapter after its long Quenta Silmarillion)
+ Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age (its last Chapter) only up to "Thus began the Third Age" (my p.304) (re year 3441)
The
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p155 2nd on early history of the Numenoreans;
156 2nd through 157 1st on their downfall.
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 5: The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part 1
Chapter II: The Fall of Numenor (I prefer just a quick skim of a lot of it and
skipping some of the notes)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
How many people moved to Numenor:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The
Peoples of Middle Earth, Part One,
V: The History of the Akallabeth pp144-145 re §5
Numenoreans lived about 3x longer
than normal humans, and they looked more like elves. (The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p154)
Remember we've lost a lot because of
the way Numenor was destroyed.
Note that the above Lost Road Fall of Numenor chapter has
interesting details about the changed geography. Also note its comment p23 on
there being no religion in the Silmarillion.
Re geology: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p224's
Letter 169.
On the splendid accuracy of the Numenorean
calendar! The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p229
3rd.
Note, however, that we'll see a bit
more in with notes that concern the Third Age.
Chapter Eleven: Some Stories of Numenor
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ
THIS:
Do read the notes in Unfinished Tales, which even include further
stories.
THE STORIES:
Unfinished
Tales in its Second Age section:
Numenor (re
whole Second Age)
+ Aldarion and Erendis (re Second Age years 451-1285 including the notes)
+ Aldarion and Erendis (re Second Age years 451-1285 including the notes)
+
Line of Elros Kings of Numenor
+ Galadriel and Celeborn up to Amroth and Nimrodel story (p240) (if you wish, you can finish this whole part of the "Second Age" here, but I found there was just too much I wanted to read about the Third Age after The Lord of the Rings; chapter includes stuff from First through Third Ages)
+ Galadriel and Celeborn up to Amroth and Nimrodel story (p240) (if you wish, you can finish this whole part of the "Second Age" here, but I found there was just too much I wanted to read about the Third Age after The Lord of the Rings; chapter includes stuff from First through Third Ages)
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth:
Part One, V: The History
of the Akallabeth, just On the Marriage of Miriel and Pharazon (pp159-163)
(only if you're interested)
+ the last story in the
book, Part Four, XVII, Tal-Elmar (re Second Age possibly years 1800-2251)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS: Don't miss in the above Unfinished Tales:
Numenorian holidays,
p166
where some artefacts
went to, pp.171-172
INTERESTING RETELLING(S): The History of Middle Earth
Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth:
Part One, VI: The Tale of Years of the Second Age just pp172-177 plus note 17 p186
(more a summary, but also further, short stories)
Re Gilgalad: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow:
Chapter XII, pp. 215-216.
Re shape and reshaping of
Middle-Earth, also of the universe in this mythology: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 4: The Shaping of
Middle-Earth: Chapter V.
If you'd like, Tolkien provides a
summary through the 1st 2 ages in a letter in the beginning of my new
Silmarillion edition.
My Favorite Stories: The Third Age
The Fourth Set of Stories
THE THIRD AGE OF THE SUN
(lasting 3,021 years, after
"the world was changed" to a globe and "the Undying Lands were
removed forever" from the reach of the living)
(Some
conjecture that this began on December 24, 6123 BCE in our reckoning)
Chapter Twelve: Early History of the Ring
THE STORIES:
Unfinished
Tales in its Third Age, Part Three: I.
The Disaster of the Gladden Fields
(re Third Age year 2 and much later)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS: Note there is a CORRECTION to the above Unfinished Tales, re the Dunedain: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter IV, 299 1st and its Note 8.
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS: Note there is a CORRECTION to the above Unfinished Tales, re the Dunedain: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter IV, 299 1st and its Note 8.
Just note in the above the note at
the end about why hobbits are short, and a fascinating mention of what their
lives used to be like.
On the elves' use of their rings: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p157 2nd.
Chapter Thirteen: Early
Stories of Gondor and Rohan
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ
THIS: The
Lord of the Rings, Return of the King: Appendix
A, I, ii, The Realms in Exile (mostly a list of Numenorean rulers as the 3rd
Age began, into 4th Age year 82)
THE STORY:
The Lord of the Rings, Return of
the King:
Appendix A, I,
iii,
Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur
+ iv, Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion (you might want to read after the Hobbit the last
couple pages or so which include Third Age years past 2984 when Denethor II
became steward; I noted that below)
Appendix A, II: The
House of Eorl (though it actually goes from Third Age 2485 through Fourth Age
63) (you might want to wait and read its last part, Third Line, around the time
you read The Two Towers; I noted that below)
Chapter Fourteen: Bilbo's Adventure
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ
THIS:
Be aware of the maps at the end of Unfinished
Tales.
Just refresh your memory with The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part One,
VI: The Tale of Years of the Second Age just p169 the discussion of when Gollum
got the ring.
THE STORY: The Hobbit
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
On appearance and wardrobe of
hobbits inc boots that got left out of the published book: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p35 3rd paragraph through
b.
On hobbit houses: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the
Shadow: Chapter IV, p.92 3rd paragraph through 93 7th
paragraph and p.101 5th-6th paragraphs, plus re Brandy
Hall/ancestral hall Brandybucks p.99 bottom through p.100 1st
paragraph.
Re snow in the Shire: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow, Chapter XXIV, p. 423 1st
paragraph.
Much more on hobbits!: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p158 1st-2nd;
and the whole of Letter 214 (pp289ff) is wonderful! including on birthdays and
weddings. Also, note that hobbits are careful with money! (The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p247). Also note that Dr. Tolkien
considered himself a hobbit: The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien, pp288b through 289t explain how/why.
Check out about another people we barely see in other writings in Unfinished Tales Part 4, I. The Drúedain
(from the 1st Age through Numenorean days and into the time of Return of the King; you might want to
read it later but I prefer it here).
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
Two: X. Of Dwarves and Men: Just check out re more about the Drúedain pp
309-310 and hobbit history pp310-311.
A hobbit song re trolls: The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the
Shadow: Chapter VIII, p. 142 bottom through 143.
Just a note that Tolkien said he
used runes "in order to" make his compilation from Bilbo's memoirs
clearer; Bilbo actually used a different alphabet. Tolkien also used Icelandic
to "translate" the dwarf names. (The
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p17 2nd paragraph; p21 last full.)
APOCRYPHAL
STORIES YOU MAY LIKE OR NOT:
A map of Bree: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow:
Chapter XX, p. 335.
Re another inn: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the
Shadow: Chapter IX, p.170 middle.
Re the use of holly trees by the
elves: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return
of the Shadow, Chapter XXV, p. 448
1st paragraph's top.
Senator Bilbo story by Andy Duncan
in Year's Best Fantasy 2
OTHER MEDIA YOU MIGHT WANT
TO ENJOY AT THIS POINT:
The tape of J.R.R. Tolkien reading from The Hobbit (Tape One Side One)
Songs from my chronological
playlist, all I have from after the 2nd Age to the end of The Hobbit:
√ The Prophecy Howard Shore Lord of
the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 1 of 18
√ Concerning Hobbits Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings Trilogy 3 of 10
√ The Bath Song The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 10 of 20
√ A Drinking Song The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 6
of 20
√ The Shire KeyeS Sounds From
Middle Earth 2 of 9
√ all of Howard Shore The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
√ A Walking Song (I) The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 3 of 20
√ A Walking Song (II) The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 19 of 20
√ The Old Troll Glass Hammer The
Middle Earth Album 2 of 13
√ all of Howard Shore The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
√ Howard Shore The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies The Last Goodbye
√ Howard Shore The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies The Return Journey
Chapter Fifteen: The Fellowship and the War
of the Ring
FOR REFERENCE AS YOU READ
THIS: Note
that later chapters give even more about calendars, languages, etc.; if you're
really puzzled you could check them out earlier.
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 9: Sauron Defeated: Part One's appendix: Drawings of Orthanc and
Dunharrow.
THE STORY:
The
Fellowship of the Ring (re Third Age April 3018 through February 3019)
Tolkien Reader (or wherever else you
find it): "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil"
The
Two Towers (re Third Age February through March 3019)
The Return of the King except for its appendices (re Third Age March
through August 3019)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
Re the meaning of the title The Two Towers: The Letters of J.R.R.
Tolkien, p173 4th.
NOTE the following CORRECTIONS to
the published Lord of the Rings books:
Fellowship of the Ring: re dwarf doors SEE The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard:
Chapter IX, footnote 6 p187m; re
hobbits in Lothlorien SEE The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XII,
243b; re what Frodo and Sam saw when they
were with Galadriel in Lothlorien SEE The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XIII,
266b.
The Two Towers: Aragorn's speaking of the hobbits SEE The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XX, 404 note 15; re chronology SEE The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard:
Chapter XX, 407m; re burials in Rohan SEE The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part One: Chapter
III, 40m the last paragraph before Notes.
both Fellowship and Towers had errors about Shadowfax chronology; SEE The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XXV, 439 2nd.
Return of the King: orc names SEE The History of Middle Earth Vol.
8: The War of the Ring: Part Two:
Chapter VIII, 226 Note 48; description
of the great hall in Minas Tirith: SEE The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter
III, 288m.
If you didn't already read it: The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King: Appendix A, I, iv, Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion
just the last couple pages or so which include Third Age years past 2984 when
Denethor II became steward
The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King: Appendix A, II: The House of
Eorl (it goes through Fourth Age 63) its last part, Third Line IF you didn't
already read it
+ III: Durin's Folk
(though it actually goes from First Age through Fourth Age 120)
Unfinished
Tales:
Second Age (though has much to do with Third Age):
its appendices (re Second Age from year 700 through Third Age year 1149):
A Silvan Elves
+ B Sindarin Princes (this and Silvan Elves, above, includes re Legolas' people including his grandfather and father)
+ C Boundaries of Lorien (includes an interesting ent "story")
+ D Port of Lond Daer
+ E Names of Celeborn and Galadriel
A Silvan Elves
+ B Sindarin Princes (this and Silvan Elves, above, includes re Legolas' people including his grandfather and father)
+ C Boundaries of Lorien (includes an interesting ent "story")
+ D Port of Lond Daer
+ E Names of Celeborn and Galadriel
Part 3: Third Age:
IV. The Hunt for the Ring (very interesting
about the Ringwraiths' abilities or lack thereof p343, the evil
Sackville-Bagginses p347, and populating the Barrow-downs p348)
+ V. The Battles of the Fords of Isen
+ Part 4:
+ III. The Palantiri (I enjoyed a furniture description p409; the explanation of Thorongil in note 12; and the possibility Aragorn looked "into the lost West" note 16)
+ V. The Battles of the Fords of Isen
+ Part 4:
+ III. The Palantiri (I enjoyed a furniture description p409; the explanation of Thorongil in note 12; and the possibility Aragorn looked "into the lost West" note 16)
Re Gandalf's "death": The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, pp201b-203m.
Re entwives! The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p179 2nd.
Re Treebeard's greeting to Galadriel
and Celeborn: The Letters of J.R.R.
Tolkien, p308 2nd.
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
Three, XV. Teachings of Pengolod: Lembas
Re Faramir: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, pp 323b through 324m.
Re the hobbits going into the West: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p328 2nd.
And look who else went! The Letters of
J.R.R. Tolkien, p354 m-b.
HAPPY OR OTHERWISE
INTERESTING FUTURE STUFF NOT COVERED ABOVE: Actually within the above Return of the King: in its chapter IX of
Book Five The Last Debate: Legolas foresees of Aragorn's descendants
"Never shall that line fail, though the years may lengthen beyond
count," p 152.
Also within the above Return of the King: in its chapter VI of
Book Six Many Partings: Galadriel sees that she and Celeborn and the ents, or
at least Treebeard, may meet again, in old Tasarinan, after "the lands
that lie under the wave are lifted up again."
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
Silmarillion:
re the Third Age (from my p304): Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
(its last Chapter).
More on the Ring's power: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter XII, 401 4th-5th.
Re Sam's and other hobbit names: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Two: Chapter
III, 122b-123m. Also note Tolkien wanted to give interesting names to Sam's
garden's flowers (The Letters of J.R.R.
Tolkien, p106, also interesting on his idea of making up fables to explain
flower names).
Old Man Willow's origins: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The
Return of the Shadow: Chapter VI, pp. 120 bottom-121 top.
More on Tom Bombadil: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the
Shadow: Chapter VI, p. 121 middle through p. 123 middle, then see p.120 2nd
paragraph and the related note, then the same book Chapter VII, p. 128 bottom
through 129 top.
More on Bree: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow:
Chapter VIII, p.132.
If you're interested, just skim The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The
Peoples of Middle Earth: Part Two, XIII. Last Writings: Glorfindel.
Also The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the
Shadow: Chapter XII, p. 214 bottom-215 top re Glorfindel.
Re Bombadil and also barrow wights:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter VII, 152 4th b including notes.
Alternates about the Council of
Elrond: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter VI, 110m-b re Elrond; 128m-129t re Aragorn;
also Chapter VII, 153m-154 5th.
More poetry re Aragorn: The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter IV, 77, 78, 80. (NOTE TO SELF: Would be lovely to
memorize.)
Re Saruman: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard:
Chapter VII, 149 8th-150t.
If you're interested, an
alternate/early Orthanc: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: frontispiece
and p. 3 2nd.
Re Moria including alternate
history: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter VII, 141b-142t; also Chapter IX,
183m-186 and footnote, includes re Balrog; also Chapter X, 191m "21st
hall of Northend."
Re picture of Moria's entrance: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter IX, 181t-m including footnote 9; 182.
Re water near Moria: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XII 219 2nd-220 2nd.
Re elves in Hollin aka Eregion: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter VIII, 167m.
The 1st alternate
Lothlorien: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XII, 222 4th-223 1st;
and about the style of the homes in Lothlorien: 228m; more about Lothlorien 241
m's quotation and 243 #46's quotation. More about Lothlorien in same book's
Chapter XIII, 245 quotation; 246 quotation; 251t.
Re elves' rings: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter VII, 155 5th-156m including notes.
Re Galadriel's voice: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XIII, 262 #7. Re her power against evil: 252 2nd's
m.
Galadriel's song: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XIV the poetry on 284-285.
Re time in Lothlorien: The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XIV, 283b-284t; and its Chapter XVII 354 last through
355t, 358 2nd-3rd, 363, 366 from its note 22 through 369.
Re Sam's gift from Galadriel: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XIV, 274 picture and its explanation. Re other
gifts: same chapter, 2nd from bottom, 278m.
Re Lothlorien boats: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Two: Chapter V, 166 Note #11; 148 3rd.
What some could see from the hill by
the mighty river: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XVIII, 372m-373t.
About woods in Middle Earth: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XX, 402m-403t.
An interesting variation on seeing
an eagle high in the sky in Two Towers: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XX, 396m-397t.
An interesting variation on the
dropping of the elven brooch in Two
Towers: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XX, 397m-398t.
Alternate ents: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XX, 411 3rd from bottom, 413b's quotation, 416
including note #4 on 419, 421's song. Also The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part One: Chapter
III, 29b-31m. Plus if you wish more: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part One: Chapter
IV, 47 last full paragraph, index re, 50 last; 59-60 Note 15; 55b-56t; 49 1st.
On hobbit history and tobacco: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part One: Chapter III, 36-39m.
Re Orthanc: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part One: Chapter III, 31b-35.
An alternate map if you wish for Return of the King: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Three: Chapter XIV.
An early description of Rohan's
Edoras: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XXVI, 441-442 quotation, 444.
Early alternate re Gondor, Rohan and
their languages: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Two: Chapter V, 154b through 162b.
Of Merry: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Three: Chapter II, 240b-241t.
If you wish, very different re
Dunharrow and a bit more re men of old: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter
II, 230-251.
More re Dunharrow, Paths of the
Dead: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The
War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter V, 312-316.
Re Eowyn's loving Aragorn before
Tolkien knew of Arwen, if you can bear it: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XXV,
437; also Chapter XXVI, 447 2nd and 448m.
If you wish, Gollum's original song:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Two: Chapter II, 110b-111t.
Frodo's path through Dead Marshes:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Two: Chapter II, map 117, 118t Note 12.
Re oliphaunts: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Two: Chapter III, 127's 2nd m-b. Note oliphaunts were of a
"prehistoric size" (The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien, p77).
An early alternate of Minas Tirith:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter II, 261.
About friendship with boy in Minas
Tirith: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The
War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter III, 283 4th through 286.
About the throne of Gondor: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XX, note 13 404.
Re history of Minas Ithil aka Minas
Morghul if you're interested: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter VII,
144-146 1st.
Minas Morghul map: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Two: Chapter VII, 181.
Note how Mordor ruined a once-great
city: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XVI 333 3rd, 336b-337t.
An alternate telling of Helm's Deep:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part One: Chapter II.
An old alternate re Palantir: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part One: Chapter VI, 75b-77 1st.
Re Boromir's horn: The History of
Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring:
Part Two: Chapter V, 146 next to last paragraph.
Different on the Paths of the Dead:
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter IV, poem on 300; also Chapter XII,
397-399m; 410-413m; 416 m-b.
Layout of Shelob's Lair, The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the
Ring: Part Two: Chapter VIII, 201.
About the great horn of the last
battle in Lord of the Rings: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XVI, 344 6th, note 43 on 349.
If you wish, an alternate seeing of
Aragorn's arrival in ships: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter
XI, 388.
A very different alternate history
of Theoden and Eowyn in battle: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter
IX.
If you wish, an alternate after
Theoden was buried: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter XI, 385m; 389m.
An alternate on the Mouth of Sauron
and fear: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter XIII, 430-431.
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 9: Sauron Defeated: Part One, The End of
the Third Age (up to Fourth Age year 14, through X) (a lot of this is just
recommended to be skimmed but I've noted the especially interesting bits, and
note that some chapters are indeed very interesting)
I. Frodo and Sam in Mordor, just skimming quickly except re Aragorn and the Paths of the Dead pp15-16
II. Tower of Kirith Ungol, just skipping the early versions and skimming the rest quickly except re the orcs' tower including the drawing p18-20
III. Land of Shadow, just skipping the early versions and skimming the rest quickly except re Sam's song p27; Frodo's plans from Elrond pp32-33
IV. Mt Doom, just the drawing p42
V. Field of Kormallen, just skimming quickly except re pp48-50 re the Fellowship after the victory, plus the mention of Tom Bombadil and Frodo p53
VI. Steward and King, just the stories in it
VII. Many Partings, just skimming quickly except the first few pages of stories pp61-64 including p63 re ent wives in the east maybe [another idea for a Tolkien-esque new series!] and a description of Minas Tirith "government" buildings p67
VIII. Homeward Bound, just skimming quickly except re Bombadil p77
IX. Scouring of the Shire
I. Frodo and Sam in Mordor, just skimming quickly except re Aragorn and the Paths of the Dead pp15-16
II. Tower of Kirith Ungol, just skipping the early versions and skimming the rest quickly except re the orcs' tower including the drawing p18-20
III. Land of Shadow, just skipping the early versions and skimming the rest quickly except re Sam's song p27; Frodo's plans from Elrond pp32-33
IV. Mt Doom, just the drawing p42
V. Field of Kormallen, just skimming quickly except re pp48-50 re the Fellowship after the victory, plus the mention of Tom Bombadil and Frodo p53
VI. Steward and King, just the stories in it
VII. Many Partings, just skimming quickly except the first few pages of stories pp61-64 including p63 re ent wives in the east maybe [another idea for a Tolkien-esque new series!] and a description of Minas Tirith "government" buildings p67
VIII. Homeward Bound, just skimming quickly except re Bombadil p77
IX. Scouring of the Shire
X. Grey Havens
IF you want summaries, see:
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, pp143-161 (of all the stories in
general).
Very interesting about the ending of
the trilogy: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XIV, 286 after the line through
just before the notes on 287.
INTERESTING MANUSCRIPT
NOTES: The
Lord of the Rings, Return of the King: Appendix
D. Calendars
ART If you have it available to
you, check out Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien.
You may like the maps in The History
of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of
Isengard: Chapter XV, though note places changed since they were made.
APOCRYPHAL STORIES YOU MAY
LIKE OR NOT:
An interesting version re the rings
of power: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow: Chapter XV, p. 260 1st
paragraph.
Very different but interesting re
Treebeard: The History of Middle Earth Vol. 6: The Return of the Shadow: Chapter XXII, p. 382 middle through p.
384 and Chapter XXIII, p. 410 5th paragraph.
OTHER MEDIA YOU MIGHT WANT
TO ENJOY AT THIS POINT:
Just a note that the Lord of the Rings is a
"trilogy" only because of original publication requirements; it's
meant to be one story. (The Letters of
J.R.R. Tolkien, p221)
The tape of J.R.R. Tolkien reading from The Lord of the Rings (Tape One
Side Two; Tapes Two and Three)
Songs from my chronological
playlist, all I have from after the 2nd Age to the end of Lord of the Rings:
√ Concerning Hobbits Howard Shore Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the
Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2
of 18
√ A Surprise Party James Prior & Kevin Pearce The
One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 1 of 13
√ tracks 3 through 6, from The Shadow of
the Past to At the Sign of the Prancing Pony, from Howard Shore Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of
the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
√ Three's Company James Prior & Kevin Pearce The
One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 2 of 13
√ The Prancing Pony James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 3
of 13
√ The Riddle Of Strider (I) The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 14 of 20
√ Journey in the Dark James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 5
of 13
√ A Knife In the Dark Howard Shore Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion
Picture Soundtrack) 7 of 18
√ Athelas The
Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At
Dawn In Rivendell 18 of 20
√ Flight to the Ford Howard Shore Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion
Picture Soundtrack) 8 of 18
√ Flight to the Ford James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 4
of 13
√ Many Meetings Howard Shore Lord of
the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 9 of 18
√ Boromir's Riddle The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 9
of 20
√ The Council of Elrond (Theme for
Aragorn and Arwen) [feat. "Aniron"] Howard
Shore Lord of the Rings: The
Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 10 of 18
√ Verse Of The Rings The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 1 of 20
√ Warning Of Winter The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 4 of 20
√ The Riddle Of Strider (II) Christopher Lee, The Danish
Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 1 of 22
√ Verse Of The Rings (II) Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 2 of 22
√ tracks 11 through 14, from The Ring
Goes South, to Lothlorien (feat. "Lament for Gandalf"), from Howard
Shore Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of
the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
√ Lothlorien James Prior & Kevin Pearce The
One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 6 of 13
√ The Mirror of Galadriel James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 7 of 13
√ Galadriel's Mirror David Arkenstone Music Inspired By Middle Earth 6 of 13
√ Farewell to Lorien (Bonus Track) Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Bonus
Track Version] 20 of 20
√ tracks 15 through 18, The Great River
to May It Be, Howard Shore & Enya Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of
the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
√ tracks 1 through 3, Foundations of
Stone through The Riders of Rohan, from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture
Soundtrack) [Bonus Track Version]
√ Ho! Tom Bombadil The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 13 of 20
√ Ho! Tom Bombadil (II) The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, The Danish
National Chamber Choir, M. Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 13 of 22
√ Tom Bombadil's Song (III) Peter Hall, Morten Ryelund, Katja Nielsen,
Oyvind Ougaard, Gert Soerensen Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 11 of 22
√ Tom Bombadil's Song (IV) Peter Hall, Morten Ryelund, Katja Nielsen,
Oyvind Ougaard Selected Songs and Poems
from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 14
of 22
√ Wight's Chant Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish
National Chamber Choir Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 12 of 22
√ tracks 4 through 10, The Passage of the
Marshesto Treebeard, from Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Bonus Track
Version]
√ Treebeard James Prior & Kevin Pearce The
One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 8 of 13
√ The Long List Of The Ents (I) The Tolkien Ensemble &
Christopher Lee At Dawn In
Rivendell 7 of 20
√ Bregalad's Song The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected Songs and Poems from The
Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 3
of 22
√ The Leave Taking Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Bonus
Track Version] 11 of 20
√ Farewell Song Of Merry And Pippin The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher
Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 17 of 20
√ Helm's Deep Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Bonus
Track Version] 12 of 20
√ Oliphaunt The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected Songs and Poems from The Lord of the
Rings: Leaving Rivendell 6 of 22
√ Faramir's Refuge James Prior & Kevin Pearce The
One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 10 of 13
√ tracks 13 through 19, The Forbidden
Pool to Gollum's Song , from
Howard Shore, Emiliana Torrini The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Bonus
Track Version]
√ tracks 1 through 6, Roots and
Beginnings to The Chalice Passed, from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete
Recordings 1 of 53
√ The Ents' Marching Song Christopher Lee, The Danish National
Chamber Choir/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 7 of 22
√ The Green Dragon (feat. Billy Boyd
& Dominic Monaghan) Howard
Shore The Lord of the Rings:
The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 7 of 53
√ The Long List of the Ents (II) Christopher Lee, Morten Ryelund,
Peter Hall, Katja Nielsen Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 19 of 22
√ Gollum's Villainy Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 8 of 53
√ Gollum the Sneak James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The
Rings 9 of 13
√ Éowyn's Dream Howard Shore The Lord of
the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 9 of 53
√ Song Of Gondor The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 2
of 20
√ Song Of Lebennin The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 11 of 20
√ tracks 10 through 17, from The Palantír
to The Stairs of Cirith Ungol, from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete
Recordings
√ Cirith Ungol Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 9 of 19
√ Allegiance to Denethor Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 18 of 53
√ The Sacrifice of Faramir (feat. Billy
Boyd Performing "The Edge of Night") Howard
Shore The Lord of the Rings: The
Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 19
of 53
√ The Steward of Gondor Howard Shore & Billy Boyd The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the
King (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 5
of 19
√ tracks 20 through 25, from The Parting
of Sam and Frodo to Master Meriadoc, Swordthain, from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the
King - The Complete Recordings
√ Malbeth The Seer's Words The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 5 of 20
√ Galadriel's Messages Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Morten Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 8 of 22
√ The Paths of the Dead Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 26 of 53
√ The Siege of Gondor
Howard Shore The Lord of the
Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 27 of 53
√ Shelob's Lair Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 28 of 53
√ Shelob's Lair James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The
Rings 11 of 13
√ tracks 29 through 37, from Merry's
Simple Courage to "A Far Green Country," from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The
Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 29
of 53
√ The Palantir David Arkenstone Music
Inspired By Middle Earth 8 of 13
√ Éomer's Song The Tolkien Ensemble & Christopher Lee At Dawn In Rivendell 8 of 20
√ Call to Arms of the Rohirrim Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish National Chamber Choir Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 21 of 22
√ Shieldmaiden of Rohan Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete
Recordings 38 of 53
√ The Passing of Théoden Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete
Recordings 39 of 53
√ Théoden’s Battle Cry Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish National Chamber Choir Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 15 of 22
√ At Théoden’s Death Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish National Chamber Choir Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 16 of 22
√ Burial Song of Théoden The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, The
Danish National Chamber Choir, M. Ryelund Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 18 of 22
√ Snowmane's Epitaph Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio
Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish National Chamber Choir Selected
Songs and Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 17 of 22
√ tracks 40 through 47, from The Houses
of Healing (feat. Liv Tyler) to The Crack of Doom, from Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of
the King - The Complete Recordings
√ Mount Doom James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The
Rings 12 of 13
√ The Eagles (feat. Renée Fleming) Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 48 of 53
√ The Fellowship Reunited (feat. Sir
James Galway, Viggo Mortensen & Renée Fleming) Howard Shore The Lord
of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 49 of 53
√ The Eagle's Song Christopher Lee, The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr, Danish National
Chamber Choir Selected Songs and
Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 22 of 22
Note that Tolkien was open to a
"serious" movie adaptation but completely understandably very unhappy
with the attempts made in his lifetime that showed the creators hadn't even
properly read the books (The Letters of
J.R.R. Tolkien, pp 257, 266-267).
Chapter Sixteen: More About Wizards
THE STORY:
Unfinished
Tales, Part 4: II: The Istari
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
Two, XIII. Last Writings: The Five Wizards, pp384-485
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
Re Radagast: The History of Middle
Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard:
Chapter VI, 131m-132 plus its notes; 134b-135t; also Chapter VII, 149 7th;
Chapter VIII, 164 1st's b.
More about wizards in general: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The
Treason of Isengard: Chapter XXIII, 422 2nd-3rd.
INTERESTING MANUSCRIPT
NOTES: I
especially liked how Tolkien mentions in Unfinished
Tales, p401 note 3, he's only really done the history of northwestern
Middle Earth – how fun it would be if a Tolkien-level writer wrote about other
directions!
Chapter Seventeen: What Happened During and
After The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
THE STORY:
The Lord of the Rings, Return of
the King: Appendix B, The Tale of Years (especially re Lorien and other
places during the War of the Ring, and about Middle Earth after it, pp375-378).
"Bilbo's Last Song"
wherever you find it (available as a small book illus. by Pauline Baynes, or in
The Road Goes Ever On sheet music book; also it's actually sung on YouTube!)
(re Third Age August-September 3021)
Unfinished
Tales: Third Age: III. The Quest of Erebor (it could also be argued to read
this sooner after The Hobbit, but it has interesting stuff from after the Lord
of the Rings, including that Gandalf plans to talk with the people in Valar
"that is forgotten" about it all).
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
One, IX: The Making of Appendix A:
iii. House of Eorl, just quickly skimmed
iv. Durin's Folk, just skimming quickly up to where a dwarf Ring story begins p280 to the end
iii. House of Eorl, just quickly skimmed
iv. Durin's Folk, just skimming quickly up to where a dwarf Ring story begins p280 to the end
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 9: Sauron Defeated: Part One, The End of
the Third Age: XI. Epilogue
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
There is a CORRECTION for Quest of
Erebor in Unfinished Tales: The
History of Middle Earth Vol. 8: The War
of the Ring: Part Three: Chapter VII, Note 19 pp357-358.
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
One, VII. The Heirs of Elendil, mostly just re Aragorn's son p202 #34;
Faramir's home p220 under The Stewards of Gondor; Angelimar pp220-222 under The
Line of Dol Amroth
Just note the interesting
description of Bilbo's dishes and cutlery in the above Unfinished Tales: Third Age: III. The Quest of Erebor.
FASCINATING FACTS ESPECIALLY
RE LANGUAGES:
to be chosen among per your
interests
The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King:
Appendix E Pronunciation + Writing
+ F Languages + Translation
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth
Appendix E Pronunciation + Writing
+ F Languages + Translation
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth
Part
One, II, The Appendix on Languages (next time I myself would skip most of this, only skimming the
parts on Gollum's ancestry [a note on the bottom of my page 38, for part 23 of
The Languages at the End of the Third Age] and on various hobbit names [pp
46-52, parts 43-51 in the same Languages at the End of the Third Age])
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 7: The Treason of Isengard: Chapter XXIII,
424 1st; and its generous appendix on Runes.
(Also if you're really into this,
you could look back at the elven language information from the 1st age in this
reading plan; you may also like to refer to The
Fellowship of the Ring's prologue: Note on the Shire Records)
FASCINATING FACTS ESPECIALLY
RE GENEALOGICAL RECORDS:
to be chosen among per your
interests
Silmarillion:
in the Third Age section:
the genealogical charts (up through September 3021)
the genealogical charts (up through September 3021)
The Lord of the Rings, Return
of the King: Appendix C Family Trees, Hobbits
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12: The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part One, VIII: The Tale of Years of
the Third Age, mostly just re Aragorn's reign, pp243-245; note at the end of
that re his son's reign and his descendants and the prophesied length of time.
OTHER MEDIA YOU MIGHT WANT
TO ENJOY AT THIS POINT:
Songs from my chronological
playlist, all I have from the very end of and after Lord of the Rings:
√ Straightway to the West James Prior & Kevin Pearce The One Ring: Music Inspired By J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings 13 of 13
√ The Journey to the Grey Havens (feat.
Sir James Galway) Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of
the King - The Complete Recordings 50
of 53
√ Into the West (Vocals Version)
[Featuring Helen Hobson] Howard Shore
& Helen Hobson The Lord of the
Rings Trilogy 9 of 9
√ Elanor (feat. Sir James Galway) Howard Shore The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete
Recordings 51 of 53
√ Days of the Ring (feat. Annie Lennox
Performing "Into the West") Howard
Shore The Lord of the Rings: The
Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 52
of 53
√ Bilbo's Song Howard Shore The
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings 53 of 53
√ Legolas' Song of the Sea The Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Dr,
Morten Ryelund Selected Songs and
Poems from The Lord of the Rings: Leaving Rivendell 4 of 22
Chapter Eighteen: More About Aragorn
THE STORY:
The Lord of the Rings, Return of
the King, Appendix A, I, v, The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen (though it
actually goes from Third Age year 2929 through Fourth Age year 121)
OTHER FASCINATING FACTS:
Note that Peoples of Middle Earth says that Arwen was like the beautiful
Luthien returned to Middle Earth.
INTERESTING RETELLING(S):
The History of Middle Earth Vol. 12:
The Peoples of Middle Earth: Part
One, IX: The Making of Appendix A:
I. Realms in Exile, just skimming quickly except note 2 re Meriadoc after the Lord of the Rings, and note 6 re Elrond's great love for Aragorn
II. Aragorn and Arwen
I. Realms in Exile, just skimming quickly except note 2 re Meriadoc after the Lord of the Rings, and note 6 re Elrond's great love for Aragorn
II. Aragorn and Arwen
OTHER MEDIA YOU MIGHT WANT
TO ENJOY AT THIS POINT:
The "fan fiction" film
"Born of Hope" about Aragorn's parents (doesn't stick to Tolkien's
characterization etc); and its soundtrack.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)