Unfinished Tales Illustrated Edition

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the first ever illustrated edition of this collection of tales which takes readers further into the stories told in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. Unfinished Tales features 18 full-color paintings from critically acclaimed Tolkien artists, Alan Lee, John Howe, and Ted Nasmith, which reveal the three Ages of Middle-earth like never before.

Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring, and provides those who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories.

The book concentrates on the realm of Middle-earth and comprises such elements as The Quest of Erebor, Gandalf’s lively account of how it was that he came to send the Dwarves to the celebrated party at Bag-End; the emergence of the sea-god Ulmo before the eyes of Tuor on the coast of Beleriand; and an exact description of the military organization of the Riders of Rohan.

Unfinished Tales also contains the only story about the long ages of Númenor before its downfall, and all that is known about such matters as the Five Wizards, the Palantíri and the legend of Amroth. The tales were edited by Christopher Tolkien, who provides a short commentary on each story, helping the reader to fill in the gaps and put each story into the context of the rest of his father’s writings.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, this jacketed hardcover of Unfinished Tales includes 18 gorgeous paintings depicting scenes from the First, Second, and Third Ages of Middle-earth from critically acclaimed Tolkien artists, Alan Lee, John Howe, and Ted Nasmith.

Author Biography

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillon, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 68 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide. ALAN LEE was born in Middlesex in 1947. His illustrated books include Faeries (with Brian Froud), Castles and Merlin Dreams, and the three ‘Great Tales’ of Middle-earth: The Children of Húrin, Beren and Lúthien, and The Fall of Gondolin. He has worked on such prestigious films as Erik the Viking (Terry Gilliam), Legend (Ridley Scott), and the acclaimed NBC miniseries Merlin. He is best known, however, for his work on the books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and now the film versions. JOHN HOWE is an illustrator best known for his work based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s worlds. Howe and noted Tolkien artist Alan Lee served as chief conceptual designers for both Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies, and he also re-illustrated the maps of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. In addition to his Tolkien-related work, he has illustrated numerous other fantastic worlds, including Anne McAffrey’s Pern, a limited edition of George R.R. Martin’s A Clash of Kings, and numerous cards for the game “Magic: The Gathering.” He lives in Switzerland.

TED NASMITH is an illustrator best known for work on The Silmarillion. Nasmith was brought on to work as a conceptual artist for the Lord of the Rings films along with Alan Lee and John Howe, and though he ultimately declined the offer, his knowledge and presence in the Tolkien Society is renowned. Tolkien had a profound impact on his work, In later years, he illustrated a deluxe 2-volume limited edition of George R.R. Martin’s famous A Game of Thrones.