The Fireside

  This boxed set was announced over the Holidays (or just  before) so I didn't have time to break the news here. So I apologize for being late to the party, but here's the details for Myths & Legends: Boxed Set II! It is arriving in May from HarperCollins (and close to around the same time by William Morrow), and here are the details. "A stunning hardcover boxed set celebrating J.R.R. Tolkien’s work inspired by the myths and legends of Europe, featuring double-sided dustjackets. This unique set contains Finn and Hengest, The Story of Kullervo, The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun, and The Battle of Maldon along with The Old English Exodus, reprinted for the first time in 50 years. For the first time since it was published in the 1980s, this boxed set includes The Old English Exodus, a translation of the Old English poem telling the story of the Israelites fleeing Egypt. Tolkien’s aim with this translation was to interpret the poem, reconstruct what the original may have looked...

  We go to the movies to be entertained. Indeed, movies/films/cinema...whatever term you wish to use, is ultimately a form of entertainment. Indeed, it can be - and is also - a form of art .  We all know that the story of Avatar  (the first film) has been done, and is one we're familiar with over time: Pocahontas, Dances With Wolves, Fern Gully .... The story and plot of a movie is quite important and the very soul of a film; though with the Avatar films.....that's not the main focus. The main focus of the Avatar films is to be fully immersed in a fictional setting. Indeed, the story of the first film is one we're familiar with. However, it is the details that truly make the movie. An entire language and culture was created. As was the ecosystem, with flora and fauna - everything you see, has a name. Such lengths and details weren't requited to create such a dazzling spectacle....but they were. Anyone familiar with James Cameron as a filmmaker knows that he is meticulou...

  I've always found 'Christmas' (or 'winter' in general) and 'fantasy' go hand-in-hand for a few reasons I could write an entire post (perhaps someday I'll do that....), so that means it's about time for my annual Christmas ideas for you  - for yourself, for shopping for others....this isn't neccessarily stuff I  want....but stuff I recommend .  It's not just Tolkien, however, Tolkien is on this list, and I'll start there.  TOLKIEN Paperbacks: The Hobbit  (paperback edition) ISBN  9780007458424 Description: " The Hobbit is the unforgettable story of Bilbo, a peace-loving hobbit, who embarks on a strange and magical adventure. A timeless classic. Bilbo Baggins enjoys a quiet and contented life, with no desire to travel far from the comforts of home; then one day the wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves arrive unexpectedly and enlist his services - as a burglar - on a dangerous expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the dragon....

  I have a bone to pick with the the Tolkien community: TCG (Tolkien Collector's Guide).  It is a fantastic resource, filled with tons of info, along with news of upcoming books, and some great photos.  But there's one issue: the moderators are hypocritical assholes.  I admit, I've had my fair share of rough history with some of the moderators (one in particular....) so there might be some bias here. However, each time I've done something they didn't like, it was addressed in a condescending manner: sorry, I don't read the rules every time I log on. Oops, I forgot to use 'search'....However, the gist of it, is this: If something happens on a topic that they  don't like or they  don't agree with (even if you're correct and they're wrong) your comment will be removed, and your account could vanish. That, and they don't seem to grasp that the way that their site is set up is in message board style....which encourages and engages discussi...

  HarperCollins is doing a great job at putting the various Tolkien books out into the Signature Collection series of paperbacks.  ....so what's left?? ~  Letters From Father Christmas  (previous paperback ISBN:  9780007280490). I noticed that various editions of  Letters From Father Christmas  typically come out Oct or November, so maybe Oct 2026 going by that...?  ~  The Fall of Numenor  (will likely occur with a future reprint. Current paperback ISBN:9780008655679) ~  The History of The Hobbit  (as 2 volumes. Part 1 ISBN:  9780007266463 . Part 2 ISBN:  9780007266470  ) or,  A Brief History of The Hobbit  (ISBN:  9780007557257 ) ~  The Song of Middle-earth  (ISBN:  9780008184 810 ) ~  The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun  (current ISBN:  9780008202156 ) ~  Author of the Century  (ISBN:  9780261104013 ) If all of the above were to be issued into the Signat...

  Today marks 70 years since The Lord of the Rings  was published in full, by way of The Return of the King  being published.  Since that The Lord of the Rings  is one novel (not a series of  them), I always choose to recognize its significant anniversaries when The Return of the King was published, not The Fellowship of the Ring .  There are a bevy of editions to choose from, however, the appropriate 70th Anniversary Edition should be showcased in this post.  The description reads: " Three-volume, deluxe slipcased hardback set of The Lord of the Rings , illustrated throughout by acclaimed Tolkien artist, Alan Lee. Features exclusive new paintings and dozens of drawings appearing for the very first time, together with three removable art cards and two foldout maps. Since it was first published, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, this work of sweeping fantasy has touched t...