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Summary: filling in the gaps
Review: This book is a great addition to any Tolkien lovers collection. Tells the stories that happened behind the scenes and show the evolution of Middle Earth over time. Chapters about the Hunt for the ring and about Wizards were the best part.
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Summary: Not quite what you expect...
Review: This is a compilation of the tales that will answer most if not all your questions regarding Middle Earth. For example how it came to be that Gamndalf thought of Bilbo when discusing the quest to Erebor with Thorin, and the Hunt for the ring through the eyes of the dreaded Nazgul. You get a good deal of background on Wizards and the Palantiri along with information on the sea god Ulmo. My favorite tale would have to be the disaster at Gladden Fields, where Isulder was slain by a host of Orcs, it filled in a much needed gap and provided alot of information regarding the events that followed. I think it would be better to have read Tolkien's Hobbit, Lord of the rings and Simarillion first(since all the tales revolve around these). Another reason to buy this is that it includes the only known map of Numenor that Tolkien ever drew(or maybe the only one we're aware of). No less magical than any other of Tolikien's books, might be a little had to understand for the newcomer.
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Summary: A wonderful ancillary volume. . .
Review: . . .which actually gives the hobbits a major place.The only criticism this hobbit has of the work done by Christopher Tolkien over the years, concerns the limited amount of space given to matters involving hobbits (which, as we all know, is of supreme interest). This volume does not suffer from that difficulty. In addition to interesting lore from the First and Second Ages, there is interesting information about Wizards (a favorite hobbit topic) and some "behind-the-scenes" recalling of Bilbo's adventure to the Lonely Mountain and the hunt for the One Ring (from the perspective of the Black Riders). Although there are many fragments in this volume, the clever hobbit-dad will be able to tell stories from it to his children. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Great source of Lore
Review: The most amazing thing about Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings, is the amount of back ground info created and composed, which did not make it into the stories. I would recommend the Silmarillion to any one who truly enjoyed the Lord of the Rings. The Unfinished Tales, however, may not be as accesible. The stories are not as polished, or even near complete. Some of the items are mere collection of notes. All this is truly intriguing to the fan, who has read both the Lord of the Rings as well as the Silmarillion - but it may not be such a gem to anyone else. The short but worthwhile stories in this book contain the stories behind Wizards (who they are, and from where they came), as well as more in depth back ground stories about various figures and peoples. The book is more of a reference, and background material, compared to the Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion - but still worth a read.
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Summary: Excellent for the familiar
Review: This book is an extremely useful supplement to the Silmarillion. A collection of short essays and accounts which take into depth the tales of the eldar days, and to a lesser extent, the War of the Ring and the third age. Most useful/interesting is the account of the Istari (Wizards), telling of their coming to Middle Earth under order of the Valá in the blessed realm and their quest. Also the description of the Isle of Númenor, home of the old Kings of the men of Westernesse makes for good reading. However, not one for the casual reader, and serves as aforesaid a supplement to The Silmarillion.
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Summary: Wonderful to dip into
Review: If you love the Tolkien universe and thirst for more about your favourite characters and the mythology of Middle Earth, you won't regret this purchase. Unfinished to varying degrees, there are stories that must have helped Tolkien flesh out the characters and story in his own mind (glimpses of Gandalf), earlier tales of the world, and interesting notes to help the reader understand the snippets. On the other hand, it is certainly not a novel, and readers seeking *Finished* tales should try The Book of Lost Tales or one of the volumes on the history of Middle Earth edited by Christopher Tolkien.
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Summary: A great addition to Middle-Earth lore. . .
Review: "Unfinished Tales" is a wonderful addition to Middle-Earth lore, adding wonderful details about episodes in all three Ages as well as providing glimpses into the operation of the thought and mind of the author. Of particular interest to most readers would be the additional material describing events in "The Hobbit" from the dwarves point of view, and the story of the Black Rider's search for the Ring. Also interesting was the essay on the Wizards. The wise reader will enjoy not only the text, but the notes as well, as they lend even more aid in the deciphering of these fragments of stories. Thank you Christopher for your efforts on your father's behalf. We, who love his writing, also appreciate your labors.
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Summary: Unfinished, but not unremarkable.
Review: When JRR Tolkien died, he left a massive amount of material that, for various reasons, had not been published. Some of this material was sufficiently comprehensive and consistant with published materials that Tolkien's son, Christopher, was able to compile it into 'The Silmarillion'. But there were also several stories, polished, but not quite complete, which pertained to the events in 'The Lord of the Rings' -- things like the story of how Isildur lost the One Ring; like what, exactly, were the Wizards: who sent them and why? Questions like 'How did Galadriel and Celeborn come to rule Lorien?' and 'Just what happened at the Fords of Isen when Saruman attacked Rohan and Theoden's son, Theodred, was slain?' All these questions and many more are addressed in the many unfinished tales that are to be found in this book: tales from all three of the ages of Middle-earth; from heroes such as Tuor and Turin in the First Age, to Bilbo and Gandalf in the Third. Almost every tale is told in a different style, but each is satisfying, up to the point where it breaks off: then frustration and speculation set in, but also a deep appreciation for the scope and grandeur of Middle-earth and the man who created it.
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Summary: A very good book!!!!
Review: This is a great book with lots of information and tells you a lot of new stuff that you never knew existed.A great bit about Wizards. Please E-mail me if you want to.
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Summary: I have seen the light of middle earth
Review: It's amazing how this book opens the history of middle earth to your mind. I wanted more information on the history of middle earth and this book gave me what i wanted. The tale of turin was amazing. i got information that i thought didn't exist.
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