Insightful
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I found a lot of the History of Middle earth books a bit tedious, too much repetitive drafts of the silmarillion to get through to find small nuggets of wonder at Tolkien's ideas. This volume is different, there is a remarkable amount of back story that is not evident elsewhere. A really interesting essay on the nature of Elves and their immortality, and what happens to a spouse when an elf dies and awaits rebirth. There is also a lengthy discussion between a human wisewoman and an Elven king as to the nature of humans and their role in the world and their future, hinting that humanity experiences a Fall of some kind due to the Great Enemy, Morgoth.
There are other chapters on the origins of Orcs, and some contradictions as to what they are. Tolkien seems unsure whether they are of elven origin or not, not wanting to allow Morgoth the power to pervert an entire group of people against the power of the Creator, Eru.
Also some interesting comparisons on the nature of Sauron and Morgoth and the different aspects of what they wanted to accomplish (morgoth wanting to destroy or corrupt everything, sauron being content to merely rule).
The title comes from the comparison of the Great Enemy morgoth and his successor, Sauron. Whereas Sauron concentrated his own power into the One Ring to rule the other Rings, Morgoth sent his much greater power into the very fabric of the world to taint and corrupt everything, hence Morgoth;s Ring is the world itself.
Heartily recommended for tolkien enthusiasts, but I suggest reading Silmarillion first.
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a bit difficult, but great
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I found this book a bit different from the other volumes of the History of Middle-earth. On one hand it's a bit more complex to read (at least it was for me), especially since it deals with more philosophical and ethical themes than the others. On the other hand, I found it more to my liking, since it is even more tought-inspiring than its companions, and it contains many interesing items. I think the best parts are the Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth, in which Finrod (a Noldo) and Andreth (a human) discuss about Iluvatar's 'gift' to Man (Death) and its consequences on the two races' way of thinking, hoping and living; the Valar's thoughts about death and faithfullness (about the death of Miriel); and the 'transformations' JRRT brought to his mythology during his last years.
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1 history book i wish i had at school
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As part of History of ME this is a history book. it fills all kinds of gaps , and as usual with this seet you get the rear opretonety to "see" Tolkiens way of thinking , and the way Lord of the rings would have looked if the changes were made / or not :-) it is hard to read ( at list i fond it so ) as it is not a story but a making of part of the story ( LOTR ) But all of "History of middle-earth " are like that . all in all i higly recomend it for the insight,and to any one who wonts some more of Tolkien , and like a complit stranger ones told me , when seeng me baying "Lord of the ring" he sead " don't bay it 'cos it is so good you'l wont more ...and ther is'nt more " he was right afcors but in this book ther is at list some sort of more :-) hope you'l injoy it as i did.
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