<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Essential reading for the Tolkien scholar
Review: "The Treason of Isengard" marks the second of four volumes dealing with the history of the writing of "The Lord of the Rings." Like the other volumes in the series, it features unpublished writings by Tolkien, supplemented, explained, footnoted, annotated and expounded upon by his son, Christopher Tolkien.This book is also part of the larger, 12-part History of Middle Earth series, which takes a close look at the creation of Tolkien's greatest achievement - Middle Earth itself - through early drafts, unpublished texts, and dead end writings. For ardent Tolkien readers it is a fascinating look at one of the great literary creations of the 20th Century. For more casual fans, it's text better left unread. If you're not a Tolkien fan, you need not apply to this sprawling series. But if you're interested in seeing how the Professor developed the rich creation of Middle Earth, warts and all, this is a treasure trove of material. Here, like the first volume, we have the earliest versions of what would later become the most beloved fantasy epic in the world, detailing the extraordinary and convoluted history of the middle chapters of "The Lord of the Rings." The early versions of Treebeard, some fascinating ideas Tolkien abandoned regarding Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, and other dead end plot threads will fascinate readers interesting in knowing about the epic's creation. The wealth of information is fantastic, and Christopher Tolkien goes to great lengths to examine each text, putting them in the context of the larger puzzle of his father's writings. The exploration of how "The Lord of the Rings" came about is fantastic - for those interested. Otherwise, it will bore. This is, after all, a series of unfinished draft chapters and essays on the text. I enjoyed it, but many won't. Anybody wishing to do a study of Tolkien's craft, into "behind the scenes" writings, or just interested in finding a few snatches of new Middle Earth material (even if in unfinished form, there are some scattered throughout the series) will certainly find what they are looking for here. Christopher Tolkien's work here is appreciated by scores of ardent Tolkien fans. Those looking for fresh new tales about hobbits and heroes, however, will be disappointed. This isn't new fiction, nor does it even feature finished works. Seek elsewhere if you are looking for more tales in the way of "The Lord of the Rings."
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Addition. . .
Review: . . .to the History of Middle Earth Collection. "The Treason of Isengard" is the seventh volume in Christopher Tolkien's masterful "History of Middle Earth" series, and the second volume in the subset within that series dedicated to the history of "The Lord of the Rings". As I've suggested in a previous review, all those prospective authors out there should "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" what Christoper has done in these volumes. He has provided an in-depth, graduate-level seminar in the process behind writing a novel. For this reason alone, the book is valuable. But the book's value far exceeds its mere literary merit for those who truly love Middle-Earth. (Although I disagree with much of what Peter Beagle has written about "The Lord of the Rings", I can sympathize with his desire to go to Middle-Earth! I wish I could, as well! This book details the material that eventually became the end of "The Fellowship of the Ring" and the first part of "The Two Towers". In it, we see the earliest forms of the visit to Lorien, the fall and repentance of Boromir, and the events leading up to the fall of Isengard (which is related in the next volume). Of particular interest: Tolkien still struggles with how to portray the Ents. Originally, Treebeard was Giant Tree Beard -- and an enemy. The numerous illustrations provided throughout the book. I found particularly interesting the various stages of development that Orthanc underwent. The Appendix on runes. Apparently, the runic inscription on Balin's tomb in Moria led Tolkien into an elaborate description of runes and their types, who used what, etc. Some of this material made it into the Appendix of "The Lord of the Rings" -- but not all of it. Altogether, and enjoyable read. I fervently wish that more effort was concentrated on Tolkien scholarship than on fandom -- but such is the way of the world, I suppose. Five Stars -- and well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Addition. . .
Review: . . .to the History of Middle Earth Collection. "The Treason of Isengard" is the seventh volume in Christopher Tolkien's masterful "History of Middle Earth" series, and the second volume in the subset within that series dedicated to the history of "The Lord of the Rings". As I've suggested in a previous review, all those prospective authors out there should "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" what Christoper has done in these volumes. He has provided an in-depth, graduate-level seminar in the process behind writing a novel. For this reason alone, the book is valuable. But the book's value far exceeds its mere literary merit for those who truly love Middle-Earth. (Although I disagree with much of what Peter Beagle has written about "The Lord of the Rings", I can sympathize with his desire to go to Middle-Earth! I wish I could, as well! This book details the material that eventually became the end of "The Fellowship of the Ring" and the first part of "The Two Towers". In it, we see the earliest forms of the visit to Lorien, the fall and repentance of Boromir, and the events leading up to the fall of Isengard (which is related in the next volume). Of particular interest: Tolkien still struggles with how to portray the Ents. Originally, Treebeard was Giant Tree Beard -- and an enemy. The numerous illustrations provided throughout the book. I found particularly interesting the various stages of development that Orthanc underwent. The Appendix on runes. Apparently, the runic inscription on Balin's tomb in Moria led Tolkien into an elaborate description of runes and their types, who used what, etc. Some of this material made it into the Appendix of "The Lord of the Rings" -- but not all of it. Altogether, and enjoyable read. I fervently wish that more effort was concentrated on Tolkien scholarship than on fandom -- but such is the way of the world, I suppose. Five Stars -- and well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Great continuation of a great series
Review: I never realized how interesting it would be to read a detailed, almost blow-by-blow, account of the creation of a masterpiece. Christopher Tolkien has done all Tolkien scholars, both professional and amateur, a great service by detailing his father's often tortuous development of Middle Earth especially Rohan, Saruman and Isengard, and the creation of Treebeard and the wonderful Ents. Also versions of Frodo and Sam's further journey that are very different from what makes it into "The Two Towers" are fascinating. Those who think that Mr. Tolkien has only done this for the money should look again at these works (if indeed they even looked at them at all). No person in his or her right mind would go through this amount of detailed work just for money. No amount of money would be enough to pay for work of this magnitude.
Rating:
Summary: Jolly
Review: I now have all of the 'history' volumes leading up to this one and look forward eagerly to each as I get it. The histories of the War of the Rings are no exception. To be able to read about the sequences and changes that came about prior to the actual release of this astounding series of books is of paramount importance to anyone who calls themself a 'Tolkien scholar'. Having named my dog Luna Celebrin Tinuviel, I feel I fall into that category. I just wish that things were taken a little more in context with the sequence of events, rather than shifting times and going back and forth. To make two books out of the first part of the story I think is a little out of hand. Each volume of this portion of the mythologies should be handled within context of the original story - i.e., 'The Fellowship', 'The Two Towers', etc.
Rating:
Summary: Seventh edition in a great literary accomplishment
Review: In the seventh volume of The History of Middle Earth Christopher Tolkien takes us from Hobbiton to Fangorn as his father first wrote it. It is sometimes simply amazing to see how much work JRR Tolkien put into LOTR. In this book you will see the countless revisions, thanks to Christopher's indespensible notes, along with early sketches of Orthanc, Minas Morgul, and Moria. I would recommend this book to any Tolkien fan who wants to learn more about The Lord of the Rings.
Rating:
Summary: The Roots of Betrayal
Review: In this volume, Christopher Tolkien continues to explore his father's manuscript versions of The Lord of the Rings. By this point in the story, it had clearly grown beyond the "Hobbit sequel" the elder Tolkien had originally set out to write, but he was still not entirely certain of the road it would be taking. As he made new discoveries about his characters and the world in which they lived, it was necessary to go back to the beginning and make the existing text match the new developments. It is particularly fascinating for me as a writer to see the footprints of the master, to see writing as *process* rather than merely as finished product. Reading this volume and the others in the History of Middle Earth series will be instructive to those non-writer family members and friends who can't seem to understand that novels don't simply pour forth fully formed, to be written from beginning to end the way one might write a thank-you note or an essay. There are false starts and dead ends that have to be discarded, changes to be made, and most of all long periods of seeming idleness while the hands are still but the brain is hard at work struggling with issues of plot and character, times when interruption is unwelcome because it can disrupt the train of thought and send fragments of plot and idea flying in all directions like a shattered glass.
Rating:
Summary: The Roots of Betrayal
Review: In this volume, Christopher Tolkien continues to explore his father's manuscript versions of The Lord of the Rings. By this point in the story, it had clearly grown beyond the "Hobbit sequel" the elder Tolkien had originally set out to write, but he was still not entirely certain of the road it would be taking. As he made new discoveries about his characters and the world in which they lived, it was necessary to go back to the beginning and make the existing text match the new developments. It is particularly fascinating for me as a writer to see the footprints of the master, to see writing as *process* rather than merely as finished product. Reading this volume and the others in the History of Middle Earth series will be instructive to those non-writer family members and friends who can't seem to understand that novels don't simply pour forth fully formed, to be written from beginning to end the way one might write a thank-you note or an essay. There are false starts and dead ends that have to be discarded, changes to be made, and most of all long periods of seeming idleness while the hands are still but the brain is hard at work struggling with issues of plot and character, times when interruption is unwelcome because it can disrupt the train of thought and send fragments of plot and idea flying in all directions like a shattered glass.
Rating:
Summary: Fine Literary History of the Lord of the Rings Continues
Review: Once more Christopher Tolkien has done a valuable service for literary historians and anyone interested in the craft of writing in his elegant overview of his father's struggles in creating the Lord of the Rings. His recounting of his father's writing is a fascinating saga in its own right, chronicling his father's subtle changes in the personas of characters as diverse as Boromir and Treebeard. Of special note is how significant Boromir's role might have been if he hadn't died in battle at the end of "The Fellowship of the Ring". I was also intrigued with Tolkien making numerous changes in his depiction (and indeed, names for) of Gondor and Lothlorien, among others. There is a excellent overview on Tolkien's map of Middle-earth, noting its significant changes over the years from the 1920's until it assumed its present form for the Rings trilogy. At the end of this lengthy tome is a fine introduction to runes and how they underwent their own transformation while Tolkien was at work writing the Rings trilogy.
Rating: 
Summary: Coattail riding to the max
Review: This work is nothing more than the attempt to make money off his fathers work. It is sad that he would go to this length to captilize on the popularity of the Lord of the Rings. Im greatly dissapointed. His father was a good man, a good christian, and a great writer. His son is none of the above.
<< 1 >>
| 
