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The life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien

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John Ronald Reuel Tolkien: one of the most fabulous names in the entire history of literature, art, imagination and dreams. It is the name of a scholar, a teacher, a linguist and a writer. Tolkien's life was made of many hard and/or sad events, yet he left us a rare and precious legacy. This lens will give you links to sites and books about the man, his work and much more. With one click you could have the whole geography of Middle-earth or a dictionary of Sindarin ready for you to explore! So, make yourself comfortable, grab a favorite drink, and enjoy the journey.

Serious or fun but all of them interesting: online resources on Tolkien. 

Online biography
You'll find many online bios on Tolkien, this one isn't too long or too short either and gives clues as to the influence some of his personal life's experiences would have on his work.
Interview of Tolkien
A 1971 interview of JRR Tolkien, on his work and how it came to be.
FAQ on Tolkien and his work
If you never read the books or feel you have a somewhat limited knowledge of Tolkien's work in general, why don't you have a look here.
The Tolkien Society
One of what I'll call the 'official Tolkien Sites'. Lots of info, links, news, and a shopping section the Tolkien Society Trading, to buy everything from books to tee-shirts.
Taruithorn, the Oxford Tolkien Society
In case you had lost sight of the fact that JRR Tolkien also was an Oxford teacher.
Official international Tolkien library
"One library to rule them all." Tolkien's books in every available languages. Includes books on Tolkien and LOTR merchandises as well.
Official site by Harper Collins
This site includes biography, some of Tolkien's own artwork, interviews, and video and audio files.
Tolkien timeline
To have a better view on his works in general, as a writer but also as a scholar, during his lifetime.
The Home of Tolkien online
Quite possibly the best source for Tolkien related news of all kind. Huge gallery of pictures, messageboard.
Introduction to Elvish
Downloadable documents on the elven languages and elven-common or common-elven dictionary.
Quenya course
Downloadable lessons to learn Quenya. Serious stuff now.
The Elvish Linguistic Fellowship
Website of an international organisation devoted to the scholarly study of the languages created by JRR Tolkien.
Mellonath Daeron
It is the language guild of Forodrim, a long established organisation describing itself as follows: "Forodrim shall fairy-tale and myth shelter, preserve and create anew." Focuses on Quenya and Sindarin.
Tolkien's Oxford
A photographic tour of landmarks in Tolkien's life in Oxford, including the pub where the Inklings (the literary group Tolkien and CS Lewis belonged to) used to meet, or his grave with the special engraving.
Tolkien's Birmingham
Pictures of places in Birmingham, where Tolkien lived for several years before going to Oxford, where one can almost 'see' the Shire, that is, the places that inspired its author when he created them.
Tolkien's Birmingham postcards
If you wish to keep some of those pictures in a special place, this is where you'll find delicate black and white and some color postcards of Tolkien's Birmingham. (you can also click on the JRR Tolkien link at the bottom of the page, for extra infos and a picture of a real-life 'Gamgee'... rings a bell?)

Brand spanking new, an official Tolkien Estate site. 

The Official Website of the JRR Tolkien Estate
I can't beat the introduction of the site itself: 'We are working hard for the launch of the complete website later this year, but in the meantime we thought it would be nice to get something online to present our aims for the website, and answer at least a few questions among the many we receive on the subject of the recently published The Children of Húrin.'
There's an long FAQ section already, and yes, info on the latest book you all want to know about.

Now in every bookstore. 

Everybody's talking about it: "The first complete book by J.R.R. Tolkien in three decades-since the publication of The Silmarillion in 1977-The Children of Húrin reunites fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, dragons and Dwarves, Eagles and Orcs. Presented for the first time as a complete, standalone story, this stirring narrative will appeal to casual fans and expert readers alike, returning them to the rich landscape and characters unique to Tolkien."
If you are a true Tolkienite, then you already know who Hurin is, but we've only had a short tale of him and a little more on his children. Now we have the full tragic story...

On amazon.com you'll find a review by Adam Tolkien, a look inside the book and an interview of Alan Lee!
(And scroll down to the Art section where you'll find the Tolkien Diary 2008 with Alan Lee's Children of Hurin art inside.)

The essential books, in chronological order. 

Paperback versions, so you can gradually build your own Tolkien library without maxing out that card!

The 'chronology' I'm refering to here is that of Middle-Earth, not of publication dates.

The Silmarillion

Tolkien's own Genesis of the world where 'The Hobbit' and 'the Lord of the Rings' will take place.
World-creation like you've never imagined it, legends in the making, stupendous storytelling.

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again

The adventures of Bilbo, the very first Hobbit to go and seek adventures outside of the Shire. What a strange thing to do indeed...

Amazon Price: $9.60 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the RIngs)

The beginning of the fabulous quest to destroy the One Ring.
Bilbo had never thought riddles in the dark would take his nephew Frodo to such a journey.

Amazon Price: $8.76 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings

Where the Fellowship is separated, but goes on valiantly.
I just love Ents. Doesn't everybody?

Amazon Price: $8.76 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of The Lord of the Rings

Where all meet their fate and the ring reaches Mount Doom.
You won't be able to put it down. So many destinies fulfilled, in this world and beyond...

Amazon Price: $8.76 (as of 08/07/2008)

So, how do you like The Children of Hurin? Or Tolkien's work in general? 

Parable

Well done!

Posted May 24, 2007

Special editions. 

Illustrated, boxed, annoted... they all have special features to offer!

The Silmarillion

Hardback. This new edition of The Silmarillion contains the revised and corrected "second edition" text and, by way of introduction, a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1951, which provides a brilliant exposition of his conception of the earlier Ages. It also contains almost fifty full-color illustrations by the artist Ted Nasmith, many of which appear for the first time.

Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Hobbit (Collector's Edition)

Hardcover. The Hobbit, which first appeared on the literary scene in 1937, receives elegant and appropriately fantastical treatment with Peter Sis's artwork on the jacket.

Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Lord of the Rings (50th Anniversary Edition)

"With a text fully corrected under the supervision of Christopher Tolkien to meet the author's exacting wishes, two large-format fold-out maps, a ribbon placemarker, gilded page edges, a color insert depicting Tolkien's own paintings of the Book of Mazarbul and exceptionally elegant and sturdy overall packaging housed within an attractive slipcase, this edition is the finest we've ever produced. "

Amazon Price: $53.55 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Lord of the Rings: 50th Anniversary, One Vol. Edition

Paperback. This new edition includes the fiftieth-anniversary fully corrected text setting and, for the first time, an extensive new index.

Amazon Price: $25.08 (as of 08/07/2008)

A little Tolkien for Christmas. 

... for Tolkien fans and/or kids all around.

Letters From Father Christmas

A collection of letters that Tolkien used to write each year for his children and read it to them. Those letters were supposed to have come from Father Christmas. Interesting change from the letters written TO the deer man...

Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 08/07/2008)

Rare editions for serious collectors. 

Just type 'Tolkien' in the Quick Search space and see what's there.

Jonkers Rare Books
First editions of the highlights of 19th & 20th century literature, children's fiction and fine illustrated books.

About the books. 

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The lost lore of Middle-Earth and beyond. 

I'll show you boxed set and compiled volumes for the History of Middle-Earth, because there are 12 of them. But if you're hooked and on a small budget, just tackle them one at a time and in paperback formats. The content is the same.

Unfinished Tales: The Lost Lore of Middle-earth

Untold stories of events spanning different times and Ages.

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Histories of Middle Earth, Volumes 1-5

These five volumes deal with the three Ages of Middle-Earth.

Amazon Price: $25.05 (as of 08/07/2008)

The History of the Lord of the Rings

Three volumes in one book.

Amazon Price: $31.50 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Complete History of Middle-Earth

Here you have volumes 10, 11 and 12. They encompass the Silmarillion (or War of the Jewels) period.

Amazon Price: (as of 08/07/2008)

Books on Tolkien and his work. 

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien

A must-have.

Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 08/07/2008)

J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography

Also a must-have.

Amazon Price: $11.96 (as of 08/07/2008)

J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century

Yes, Tolkien was elected Author of the Century, but of course you already knew that...

Amazon Price: $11.05 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Road to Middle-earth: Revised and Expanded Edition

Another book by Shippey, on 'how Tolkien created a new mythology'.

Amazon Price: $10.40 (as of 08/07/2008)

A Tolkien interview. 

Tolkien on Rings mythology

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News from the International Tolkien Library. 

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Guides and maps to find your way, elvish grammar to communicate and one last good book for the road. 

The Complete Guide to Middle-earth: Tolkien's World from A to Z

For anyone who's ever wondered "who's Beren?," "where's the Great Shelf?" or "what's the Council of Gondor?," this A-Z reference describes every person, locates every place and explains everything in Tolkien's saga. (There's a paperback version too!)

Amazon Price: (as of 08/07/2008)

The Maps of Tolkien's Middle-Earth

With illustrator John Howe's full color maps, two of which never before published.

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Atlas of Middle-Earth (Revised Edition)

A real atlas, complete with thematic maps on landforms, vegetation, population, languages spoken, etc.

Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 08/07/2008)

A Gateway To Sindarin: A Grammar of an Elvish Language from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings

Start talking in elvish and impress your friends.

Amazon Price: (as of 08/07/2008)

Tolkien's Legendarium: Essays on The History of Middle-earth (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy)

For the true addicts, the latest, most accurate and very complete book on the subject.

Amazon Price: $110.95 (as of 08/07/2008)

Art by or inspired by Tolkien. 

J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator

Yes, Tolkien was an all-around artist and creator. This will allow you to see how he really envisionned the places and the people he described in his books.

Amazon Price: $18.25 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook

For those who love the art of Alan Lee, who has illustrated many books by Tolkien and has found inspiration in his work for years. His sketches are fabulous, and the watercolors are splendid. Includes lots of art from the movie adaptation.

Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 08/07/2008)

Myth and Magic: The Art of John Howe

And for all the John Howe's fans, there's a splendid collection of 250 illustrations inspired by Tolkien's work as well!

Amazon Price: (as of 08/07/2008)

Tolkien: The Children of Hurin Diary 2008 (Diary)

With the art of The Children of Hurin, make your own history!

Amazon Price: (as of 08/07/2008)

A little Trivia. 

Did you know that Tolkien was a romantic? An old-fashioned, elegant, yet true romantic. He and his beloved wife share the same gravestone. When she died he had 'Luthien' engraved under her name. And of course, he requested that 'Beren' should be engraved right under his own name.
I just think it's beautiful.

Fan art found on theonering.com's. 

Most characters are those of the movie adaptation, though the last ones are not.

Name of character followed by name of the artist. Do not hesitate to click for a larger view.

Frodo Barabas Orsolya by undomiel_fr

Frodo, Barabas Orsolya

Gandalf Barabas Orsolya by undomiel_fr

Gandalf, Barabas Orsolya

Galadriel and Frodo Lindsey Henninger by undomiel_fr

Galadriel, Lindsey Henninger

Legolas Lindsey Henninger by undomiel_fr

Legolas, Lindsey Henninger

Aragorn Stefanie Segers by undomiel_fr

Aragorn, Stefanie Segers

Boromir Anna Baldassarre by undomiel_fr

Boromir, Anna Baldassarre

merryandpippin Lindsey Henninger by undomiel_fr

Merry and Pippin, Lindsey Henninger

Sam Lorraine Brevig by undomiel_fr

Sam, Lorraine Brevig

Arwen Roser Portella by undomiel_fr

Arwen, Roser Portella

Luthien Anke Eissmann by undomiel_fr

Luthien, Anke Eissmann

Faramir Hope Hoover by undomiel_fr

Faramir, Hope Hoover

Elbereth Herb Leonard by undomiel_fr

Elbereth, Herb Leonard

From the books to the silver screen. 

The DVDs, in simple or extended versions, of the popular adaption by Peter Jackson of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers

Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 08/07/2008)

The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)

Includes The Fellowship of the Rings, The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

Amazon Price: $64.99 (as of 08/07/2008)

Images and music to set an elvish mood... 

A song by Enya, 'Only Time', for an all-Arwen video.

ENYA-Only time with LOTR Arwen animation

This video was extracted from http://www.theargonath.cc/ site has great videos in there.

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CLB

About CLB

 

I love a lot of things: music and family, books and writing, fairies and chocolate, creative thinking and learning. Why settle for less than the very best things life has to offer?
J'aime beaucoup de choses : la musique et la famille, lire et écrire des livres, les fées et le chocolat, penser et apprendre de manière créative. Pourquoi se contenter de moins que ce qu'il y a de meilleur dans la vie ?
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