The Fireside

Well, I've done it - I've got myself another Tolkien book for the 'Do Not Read' Editions collection. This one is a copy of The Lord of the Rings. Detailed info below. THE LORD OF THE RINGS   60 th Anniversary (illustrated) Edition, Harper Collins. ISBN: 9780007525546 Product info: This new edition includes all 50 of Alan Lee's beautiful watercolour paintings that have been newly scanned by the artist himself, together with his stunning frontispiece painting that appears in full, for the very first time, as a three-page foldout sheet. The text has been reset using the definitive 50th anniversary text and is printed on high-quality paper, and this is accompanied by Tolkien's own maps, which are printed in red & black as endpapers. The unjacketed book features illustrated boards and includes a silk ribbon marker, and is housed in a special transparent slipcase; together with Alan's beautiful paintings, this new presentation of this landmark wor...

For this week's entry, I'm going to take a break from books for a bit (I will undoubtedly return to that at some point...but not 'books by Tolkien', though...) This week's post is a collection of random thoughts, but they all bear a similar theme or idea. I just turned 32 years old this year. Which means, that Tolkien was not alive in my lifetime. Reading about him, I've learned to appreciate the many parts of Tolkien: as an author, as a 'Professor' (his love and contributions to the scholarly and academic world, as well as his love of old, ancient epic poems) and other things. One thing that has repeatedly crossed my mind, and I'm going to share that thought with you this week, is "what if Tolkien ere around now??" I am of course not speaking of living very long , but if instead of living 1892 - 1973 he lived in another space of time. What has prompted this question, was reading about his likes and dislikes, what technology he lo...

For the very first time on November 1, all 6 Middle-earth films will be released in one package on blu-ray, consisting of 30 discs . This box set, includes the following films, in order of release: - The Fellowship of the Ring - The Two Towers - The Return of the King - The Hobbit: Part 1 - The Hobbit: Part 2 - The Hobbit: Part 3 The versions of the films is the extended editions for all 6, plus all the previously released content and special features. The official info is as reads: - For the first time ever, Academy Award®-winning director Peter Jackson's epic adventure is available in one spectacular limited collector's edition box set. - The Limited Collector's Edition includes 30 discs featuring all six Middle-earth films in their extended edition forms, housed in six stunning faux leather books and a collectible Hobbit-style wood shelf. The one-of-a-kind wood shelf is crafted from solid wood with design selected by Peter Jackson. - In addition to the ...

There’s another Tolkien book coming on the horizon! Each time another one is published, I think ‘will this be the last one?’ Because, aside from anniversary or deluxe editions, there’s no telling. In the case of this one I’m going to mention, and A Secret Vice (and possibly others) it’s existing material, but ‘expanded’…because we are seeing more ‘expanded’ Tolkien works, I’m going to give a new category called that. Anyway, this time, it’s The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun . Here is the official ‘blurb’, and info (still a tad early in regards to know if a deluxe version will be coming (it could come later like The Story of Kullervo , whose deluxe edition is coming in October. USUALLY the deluxe version is published the same time as other versions, or shortly after. In Kullervo’s case, it’s about a year off) “Coming from the darker side of J.R.R. Tolkien's imagination, "The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun" is an important non Middle-earth work to set alongside his o...

Ok, I realize something now: when I suggest Tolkien books to get, I tend to favour my preferred editions of the books. At the time I publish those posts, they may be in stock. But, months later, they may not be, thus making them harder to find, even online. T his post is for those who may not have the time and effort to go hunting after a particular edition ; or anyone wishing to get hardbacks of Tolkien's books.   The numbers I'm listing below are the ISBN, a direct link to a particular version of the book. I even put them in bold. In my research before writing this post, I have found some pretty common ones. So check these 'easier to find' hardback editions by plugging in the ISBN into whichever site you plan to buy them from [or search the ISBN on Google to read more about them. they are pretty basic, but still nice, and cost-effective.]   First up, we have The Hobbit , where it all began. If you're shopping in Canada using Chapters, I recommend...

A lovely edition of Tolkien’s works are the illustrated editions. While absolutely stunning editions, they are slightly impractical for reading purposes. They are not only in hardback, but larger format hardback. Due to the type of paper used (in part, or due the illustrations), combined with the size, they are also quite heavy. These minor things aside, they are among the most treasured editions of the works since they were published, remain, so, and most likely always be that way. First up (in written / original publication order) we have the illustrated edition of The Hobbit , published to celebrate the book’s 60 th anniversary. Alan Lee did the artwork; including the dustjacket.   Of course, next is The Lord of the Rings . It’s in a 3-volume hardback box set, which can be weighty and pricy. There are three of these books, after all. You get the complete matching set, and the box is nothing to shrug off, in the attraction department. [though i...

I’ve often said that my essential Tolkien books consist of : ­ The Hobbit The Lord of the Rings The Silmarillion Unfinished Tales The Children of Hurin The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun The Fall of Arthur Beowulf The Story of Kullervo Many people have often mentioned, or asked about, ‘The History of Middle-earth’. This series serves as further insight into the development of Tolkien’s worlds, so there are often ‘alternate versions’ of material. I’ve felt that The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales have provided me with satisfactory information to quench any thirsts I may have. Of course, there may be a few items that have been only published within specific books of the series. If Tolkien’s main middle-earth books ( The Hobbit – Unfinished Tales ) are a movie, let’s say, then ‘The History of Middle-earth’ would be it’s ‘making of’ or ‘audio commentary’. So this post is for the completists, and / or die hards. Or those who wish to know more, or get the ‘History o...

Well, it’s that time of year again! I generally like to assume that no one follows my blog. By that, I mean, when I write a post, I think that is the first entry that someone may read. So, as is my custom, I’m going to be spotlighting a few books around Yuletide. This entry will focus on Tolkien. This year, there is no Hobbit film coming out, so fans of the series (or newcomers) may be keeping an eye out for themselves, or for gifting to those they think may be interested. I will provide the ISBNs for the best paperback, hardback, and deluxe editions. (Since The Lord of the Rings is often sold in a box set, I’ll provide that ISB as well) The ‘essentials’:   THE HOBBIT Paperback: 9780261103344  Hardback: 9780261103283 Deluxe: 9780007118359 "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 bur...