Rating: 
Summary: Early Version of The Silmarillion as told by Tolkien's son
Review: "The Book of Lost Tales 2" includes several tales which will be a classic part of "The Silmarillion", yet all of these are in a cruder, more rudimentary form, than what readers have seen in the latter work. Among the most important changes is depicted in the early version of the tale of Beren and Luthien, here entitled "The Tale of Tinuviel", where Beren was conceived first by Tolkien as a gnome, not a man. There is also an extensive recounting of "The Fall of Gondolin", the Elvish refuge from Morgoth, not seen in "The Silmarillion". This is an important book for both scholars and fans of Tolkien, since his son Christopher provides excellent commentary and related material (e. g. poetry) in which he compares and contrasts the stories in this volume with their later versions in "The Silmarillion". So if you not read "The Silmarillion", I strongly recommend doing so before reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Early Version of The Silmarillion as told by Tolkien's son
Review: "The Book of Lost Tales 2" includes several tales which will be a classic part of "The Silmarillion", yet all of these are in a cruder, more rudimentary form, than what readers have seen in the latter work. Among the most important changes is depicted in the early version of the tale of Beren and Luthien, here entitled "The Tale of Tinuviel", where Beren was conceived first by Tolkien as a gnome, not a man. There is also an extensive recounting of "The Fall of Gondolin", the Elvish refuge from Morgoth, not seen in "The Silmarillion". This is an important book for both scholars and fans of Tolkien, since his son Christopher provides excellent commentary and related material (e. g. poetry) in which he compares and contrasts the stories in this volume with their later versions in "The Silmarillion". So if you not read "The Silmarillion", I strongly recommend doing so before reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: This book continues. . .
Review: . . .the work begun in "The Book of Lost Tales, Part 1" and carries the earliest versions of what would eventually become "The Silmarillion" through to their completion.Any hobbit who owns the first volume in this series, will wish to acquire this title as well. Highly recommended -- but does not stand alone well without the first book.
Rating:
Summary: Simply splendid mythology!
Review: Being the second book in the History of Middle Earth, The Book of Lost Tales 2 (BoLT2) continues where part one left off. If you find that BoLT1 tests your patience from time to time, hang in there because the next in the series is worth the effort! (not that the first is not). Of the six tales in BoLT2, three major ones occupy the bulk of the book: The Tale of Tinuviel, Turambar and the Foaloke, and The Fall of Gondolin. These are recurring stories from the Silmarillion, but here they are fleshed out in all of their glory. Tolkien adopts a slightly more archaic prose and gives far more detail and dialogue here than in the Silmarillion. While the corresponding stories of the Silmarillion are about 25 pages, these are all about 50 pages each. We cannot forget, however, that these are early drafts of the Silmarillion itself and thus occasionally contradict the official account. Unlike Unfinished tales, we get to read a finished (though earlier) version of the story of Turambar, but otherwise there isn't a whole lot of new information. The stories of Tinuviel and of The Fall of Gondolin, however, are a pleasant surprise. Much of the reason why these two are among my favorites is because of the detail given in BoLT2. The Tale of Tinuviel spends much more time describing Beren and Tinuviel's (Luthien) adventure to Angband. It is here that we meet Tevildo, Lord of Cats and gaurdian of Angband, whose mightiest foe is Huan, Captain of Dogs and companion of Tinuviel. The Fall of Gondolin is a tremendously detailed account of the attack on the hidden city by an army of Morgoth. This version deviates more from the one in Unfinished Tales than does the story of Turambar from the Narn. There are strange descriptions of "iron serpents" crawling over the walls of the city out of whose bellies crawl orcs and goblins. We also get to see Glorifindel's fight with the Balrog. The other three stories at the end of the book are more fragmented, and last one (The History of Eriol) is downright laborious to read because of Chris Tolkien's interjecting commentaries. If you don't want to read all of the History of Middle Earth or are just interested in reading a few good stories without commentaries, then BoLT2 is one book you should consider. It is much more "user friendly" than BoLT2 or Unfinished Tales and you can skip the less important stories if you want.
Rating:
Summary: Very Enjoyable Stories
Review: Being the second book in the History of Middle Earth, The Book of Lost Tales 2 (BoLT2) continues where part one left off. If you find that BoLT1 tests your patience from time to time, hang in there because the next in the series is worth the effort! (not that the first is not). Of the six tales in BoLT2, three major ones occupy the bulk of the book: The Tale of Tinuviel, Turambar and the Foaloke, and The Fall of Gondolin. These are recurring stories from the Silmarillion, but here they are fleshed out in all of their glory. Tolkien adopts a slightly more archaic prose and gives far more detail and dialogue here than in the Silmarillion. While the corresponding stories of the Silmarillion are about 25 pages, these are all about 50 pages each. We cannot forget, however, that these are early drafts of the Silmarillion itself and thus occasionally contradict the official account. Unlike Unfinished tales, we get to read a finished (though earlier) version of the story of Turambar, but otherwise there isn't a whole lot of new information. The stories of Tinuviel and of The Fall of Gondolin, however, are a pleasant surprise. Much of the reason why these two are among my favorites is because of the detail given in BoLT2. The Tale of Tinuviel spends much more time describing Beren and Tinuviel's (Luthien) adventure to Angband. It is here that we meet Tevildo, Lord of Cats and gaurdian of Angband, whose mightiest foe is Huan, Captain of Dogs and companion of Tinuviel. The Fall of Gondolin is a tremendously detailed account of the attack on the hidden city by an army of Morgoth. This version deviates more from the one in Unfinished Tales than does the story of Turambar from the Narn. There are strange descriptions of "iron serpents" crawling over the walls of the city out of whose bellies crawl orcs and goblins. We also get to see Glorifindel's fight with the Balrog. The other three stories at the end of the book are more fragmented, and last one (The History of Eriol) is downright laborious to read because of Chris Tolkien's interjecting commentaries. If you don't want to read all of the History of Middle Earth or are just interested in reading a few good stories without commentaries, then BoLT2 is one book you should consider. It is much more "user friendly" than BoLT2 or Unfinished Tales and you can skip the less important stories if you want.
Rating: 
Summary: Much improved over Vol 1
Review: Christopher Tolkien seems to have left the lecture stand in favor of a comfortable chair by a warm fire in a roadside inn. Vol. 2 of the Lost Tales has the feel of a spun yarn, while giving insight to the works of JRR. Each tale further fills out the tapestry of Middle Earth. In this Vol, Christopher is able to show insight without coming across as a law text. Much bette
Rating:
Summary: The Beginning, Continued. . .
Review: Do you love the fiction of JRR Tolkien? Are you interested in the very beginning of the legends? The stories that evolved into "The Silmarillion"? Then you must purchase "The Book of Lost Tales, part 2". Here you will find, thanks to the loving research and editing of Tolkien's son Christopher, more early accounts of the stories, legends and poems that became Tolkien's life work. Begun during the First World War, the legends occupied the remaining 55 years of Tolkien's life. You cannot begin to fully appreciate "The Lord of the Rings" without reading "The Silmarillion" -- and this volume, like "The Book of Lost Tales, part 1" provides the very beginning of what became "The Silmarillion".
Rating:
Summary: The Beginning, Continued. . .
Review: Do you love the fiction of JRR Tolkien? Are you interested in the very beginning of the legends? The stories that evolved into "The Silmarillion"? Then you must purchase "The Book of Lost Tales, part 2". Here you will find, thanks to the loving research and editing of Tolkien's son Christopher, more early accounts of the stories, legends and poems that became Tolkien's life work. Begun during the First World War, the legends occupied the remaining 55 years of Tolkien's life. You cannot begin to fully appreciate "The Lord of the Rings" without reading "The Silmarillion" -- and this volume, like "The Book of Lost Tales, part 1" provides the very beginning of what became "The Silmarillion".
Rating:
Summary: The History of middle earth's second chapter.
Review: In my opinion, this book is better than the first installment. The stories were easier to read despite the exhaustive notes and comments on the complexity of the story, its variations, and notes by Tolkien. I think, however, that Christopher Tolkien did an excellent job in organizing and describing the thoughts and process that went into the development of each story. The layout is similar to volume 1 where Christopher Tolkien will make a very short comment before the story begins and then there are notes and more comments afterward. I highly recommend the commentary section for serious Lord of the Rings fans who are interested in the creative and development process of each storyline. It is in this section that Christopher Tolkien discusses his father's notes on each story, the chronology of the development, and any related poems JRR Tolkien may have written. Christopher Tolkien also tries to address and resolve contradictory issues that arise with each version, such as the geography of a key location or name change and why it differs with each version of the story. In some cases, he is able to do that, but in other cases, he is unable to due to lack of information.
There were some stories, I think, that were better than the versions in The Silmarillion, like the Fall of Gondolin, and some that were not as good, such as Tinuviel and Beren. For example, the version of the Fall of Gondolin, in this book, goes into detail about Tuor's journey to the Sea, Ulmo's visitation, and his journey to Gondolin. Some of the scenes contain fuller accounts in The Silmarillion but the Lost Tales version is much better because Tolkien paints, in great detail, the places through which Tuor travels, the ensuing siege and capture of Gondolin, and the flight of the Noldoli. It is a richer account, in my opinion. I highly recommend this version but keep in mind that it is still a hard read and it will sometimes take patience and discipline to hold your attention to the subject matter.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, Informative, But A Hard Read
Review: In my opinion, this book is better than the first installment. The stories were easier to read despite the exhaustive notes and comments on the complexity of the story, its variations, and notes by Tolkien. I think, however, that Christopher Tolkien did an excellent job in organizing and describing the thoughts and process that went into the development of each story. The layout is similar to volume 1 where Christopher Tolkien will make a very short comment before the story begins and then there are notes and more comments afterward. I highly recommend the commentary section for serious Lord of the Rings fans who are interested in the creative and development process of each storyline. It is in this section that Christopher Tolkien discusses his father's notes on each story, the chronology of the development, and any related poems JRR Tolkien may have written. Christopher Tolkien also tries to address and resolve contradictory issues that arise with each version, such as the geography of a key location or name change and why it differs with each version of the story. In some cases, he is able to do that, but in other cases, he is unable to due to lack of information.
There were some stories, I think, that were better than the versions in The Silmarillion, like the Fall of Gondolin, and some that were not as good, such as Tinuviel and Beren. For example, the version of the Fall of Gondolin, in this book, goes into detail about Tuor's journey to the Sea, Ulmo's visitation, and his journey to Gondolin. Some of the scenes contain fuller accounts in The Silmarillion but the Lost Tales version is much better because Tolkien paints, in great detail, the places through which Tuor travels, the ensuing siege and capture of Gondolin, and the flight of the Noldoli. It is a richer account, in my opinion. I highly recommend this version but keep in mind that it is still a hard read and it will sometimes take patience and discipline to hold your attention to the subject matter.
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