The Book of Lost Tales 2 (The History of Middle-Earth - Volume 2)

Rating:
Summary: 'Tis good for people who like the Olde Englysshe epic style
Review: These are the earliest versions of the legends which were posthumously compiled as The Silmarillion. Most of the stories are MUCH more detailed than they later became, and Tolkien's style is very dense, more imitative of Old English than it later became. It is remarkable how fully Tolkien had already conceived of these legends at a very early age. Although lacking its later refinement, Tolkien's mastery of modern English as a medium for expressing the epic style of Old English works is very evident and quite enjoyable. The Fall of Gondolin and the legend of Turin Turambar are more compellingly told in their full, earlier versions. Christopher Tolkien (son of J.R.R.) deserves credit for very comprehensive annotations. I loved it, as I love all Tolkien's works.

Rating:
Summary: The 2nd Lost Tales outshines the first, Tolkien at his best
Review: This book has the definitive account of the fall of Gondolin, which is Tolkien's best portrayel of the valour of Elves in defence against Morgoth, the dark Lord, If you have read the Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings then jump right in because this book is excellent.

Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: This book offers more fleshed-out and satisfying versions of many of my favorite stories from the Silmarillion. The best by far was the Lay of the Children of Hurin in poetic verse- it is even more deeply moving than the version from the Sil, which now only seems to brush the surface of the story. The archaic English that Tolkien uses here is lovely and also very fitting for these epics. Read it TODAY.

Rating:
Summary: More from the Master
Review: This book picks up where the first left off, opening with the tale of Tinuviel. It then carries you through the original conceptions Turin (Turambar and the Foaloke), and then on to Tuor (the fall of Gondolin). After these stories it gets a little harder to follow as the notes that Christopher uses become much more mish-mashed.
The tale of Tinuviel is interesting because this is one that goes through many different changes.
the basic story is there but it was written at the time when the silmarills were just becoming an important part of the whole mythology. Another surprising change is that Beren, who in the Silmarillion becomes the first Man to wed an Elf is here concieved of as an elf himself. That might throw Aragorn's long lineage out of whack! Also the necomancer (a.k.a. Sauron) is here a giant cat (Tevildo lord of the cats) with his own castle.
In Turambar and the Foaloke there are relativly few changes, most of them being changes of wording and name changes. Tis is one of the most sorrowful stories that I have ever read, though it is also one of me favorite. The only thing better than reading this is picking up a copy of Unfinished Tales and reading the final version that he worked on.
The most interesting and in my view rewarding tale in here is the fall of Gonddolin. I say this because this is the only place where you can find a finished version. The version in the Silmarillion though excellent was really written to be an oral piece, therefore being much shortened. The reason it was chosen as the official published version is because it was also revised to fit in Middle-Earth's history. If you read Of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin in the Unfinished Tales you will find the most beautiful rendering, but sadly it stands uncomplete with Tuor just reaching the gates of Gondolin. But if you read the original story you get to see where it was going, and also you read what is one of the most fantastical battle scenes that I have ever read.(Even better than Peter Jackson's amazing rendering of the Battle of Pelenor Fields in the movie version of Return of the King).
The book then moves on to The Nauglafring, a dwarven necklace which encasing the silmaril that Beren and Tinuviel took from Morgoth, that brings about the ruin of the Realm of Doriath.
We are then brought to the Tale of Earendel who was the first Elf to be alowed to enter after he reached the sacred realm of Valinor.This and the next chapter, The History of Eriol or AElfwine, mostly consist of notes of how the stories were to be written, but they were abandoned shortly after this. Incedently, Eriol was originally concieved as having written The Book of Lost Tales.
All in all this is an excellent book if your interested in learning the history behind the Silmarillion and parts of Unfinished Tales.

Rating:
Summary: More from the Master
Review: This book picks up where the first left off, opening with the tale of Tinuviel. It then carries you through the original conceptions Turin (Turambar and the Foaloke), and then on to Tuor (the fall of Gondolin). After these stories it gets a little harder to follow as the notes that Christopher uses become much more mish-mashed.
The tale of Tinuviel is interesting because this is one that goes through many different changes.
the basic story is there but it was written at the time when the silmarills were just becoming an important part of the whole mythology. Another surprising change is that Beren, who in the Silmarillion becomes the first Man to wed an Elf is here concieved of as an elf himself. That might throw Aragorn's long lineage out of whack! Also the necomancer (a.k.a. Sauron) is here a giant cat (Tevildo lord of the cats) with his own castle.
In Turambar and the Foaloke there are relativly few changes, most of them being changes of wording and name changes. Tis is one of the most sorrowful stories that I have ever read, though it is also one of me favorite. The only thing better than reading this is picking up a copy of Unfinished Tales and reading the final version that he worked on.
The most interesting and in my view rewarding tale in here is the fall of Gonddolin. I say this because this is the only place where you can find a finished version. The version in the Silmarillion though excellent was really written to be an oral piece, therefore being much shortened. The reason it was chosen as the official published version is because it was also revised to fit in Middle-Earth's history. If you read Of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin in the Unfinished Tales you will find the most beautiful rendering, but sadly it stands uncomplete with Tuor just reaching the gates of Gondolin. But if you read the original story you get to see where it was going, and also you read what is one of the most fantastical battle scenes that I have ever read.(Even better than Peter Jackson's amazing rendering of the Battle of Pelenor Fields in the movie version of Return of the King).
The book then moves on to The Nauglafring, a dwarven necklace which encasing the silmaril that Beren and Tinuviel took from Morgoth, that brings about the ruin of the Realm of Doriath.
We are then brought to the Tale of Earendel who was the first Elf to be alowed to enter after he reached the sacred realm of Valinor.This and the next chapter, The History of Eriol or AElfwine, mostly consist of notes of how the stories were to be written, but they were abandoned shortly after this. Incedently, Eriol was originally concieved as having written The Book of Lost Tales.
All in all this is an excellent book if your interested in learning the history behind the Silmarillion and parts of Unfinished Tales.

Rating:
Summary: Look again
Review: This is the second volume in "the Book of lost Tales" and also the second volume in "the History of Middle-earth". Here are all the stories that were not put in the first book, so if you liked that one than no problem, because these stories are enchanting in their own right, as well as giving us a one-of-kind glimpse into a masterpiece in progress.
Although, if you have not read the first volume than go do that first, because although these stories are somewhat unfinished there is still a continuity of sorts. These stories were seemingly written down by a traveller in elf-land who heard theh while staying in the Cottage of Lost Play. The moments at the cottage, with the children and the story-telling, are the best part of the book.
As in this entire series, Christopher Tolkien provides an in-depht commentary after each story, comparing it with the published Silmarilion and with the rest of his fathers work.
This is a look at a different style of Tolkien-writing, one that does not show in the more finnished works. I recoment it to anyone who would like a more in.depht understanding of Tolkien as an author, as well as a chance to look over his shoulder while he writes his first drafts for the stories that would enchant the world.

Rating:
Summary: The History Of Middle-Earth Vol.2
Review: This second volume of The History Of Middle-Earth takes us back to the mythical times of the Silmarillion. In fact it comprises very interesting sketches of tales found in the Silmarillion itself. Featuring among others the tales of Beren and Luthien, Turin Thurambar, and the full accounts of the Necklace of the Dwarves and the Fall of Gondolin. Each text is followed by explanatory comments by Christopher Tolkien and also some related poems by the author himself. Reading The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales is also highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Incredible!
Review: Those who are hard-core Tolkien fans will revel in the lore found in this book. Though at first I found these books rather difficult to read, I have come to absolutely love them. The two volume Book of Lost Tales gives much information on the creation of Middle Earth and some of the important events that happened in the first age. In the Book of Lost Tales 2, a page has been included from Tolkien's original manuscripts. Seeing that made me appreciate all the work that Christopher Tolkien went to even more. I am very grateful to him for making all these stories available to Tolkien fans. Probably the thing I like best about reading these books is that I now understand the vague references to history that are included in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.