Where does it all begin?

[Bobcat03]

After seeing the new LOTR movie last Christmas, I got really into Tolkein and finally etched out some time to read the Hobbit. I intend to wrap up the enitre LOTR series, however, there is more. If I intend to read the history of middle earth and the history of the ring, what Tolkein book do I start with and what books should I read in sequence. I want to chronologically trace the tale of the ring, so no skipping back and forth business between books. I'm a Tolkein amateur. Any advice would be more than appreciated. You can email me at msr238@nyu.edu. Thanks

[Ancalagon]

Welcome BC, Best place to start is with The Lord of the Rings books themselves. When you are done with them, The Silmarillion will be your next stop. After that, Unfinished Tales and the when you are ready for more start reading HOME.

Anymore questions, please feel free to ask.

[Grond]

I agree fully with Ancalagon BC. I would only add one thing. When you begin to read The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales, bear in mind that they are a collection of stories (mythologies) of Middle-earth and aren't necessarily meant to be read in any certain order.

The Silmarillion can be a brutal read if you try to read it from cover to cover. Each of the dieties has more than one name (Quenya and Sindarin) and there are many, many of the Valar and Maiar. When you get to the point of reading those two works, you might want to check back with us and we can give you some insight into the most enjoyable way to read them. Of course, everyone's opinion is slightly different. :)

BTW... welcome to the forum.

[Phenix]

I agree whit them... but I have one question. What is HOME for a book??, I have never heard of it...I think

[Grond]

Originally posted by Phenix
I agree whit them... but I have one question. What is HOME for a book??, I have never heard of it...I think The HoMe (Histories of Middle-earth) is a number of additonal writings by JRRT, edited and compiled by his son, Christopher Tolkien. It is very interesting as Christopher includes his own interpretations of many of his father's non-published writings and discusses how they relate to the other works.

They include:
I - The Book of Lost Tales Part One
II - The Book of Lost Tales Part Two
III - The Lays of Beleriand
IV - The Shaping of Middle-earth
V - The Lost Road and other writings.
VI - The Return of the Shadow
VII - The Treason of Isengard
VIII - The War of the Ring
IX - Sauron Defeated
X - Morgoth's Ring
XI - The War of the Jewels
XII - The Peoples of Middle-earth

Each Volume comprises an additional book and most are available at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk

[Beverly]

I found after finishing the Hobbit wondering what happend next, and so read the LOTR, which made me want to know the history of all the characters, including the ring, and the swords, and the horses, etc.
And the answers were in the Silmarillion.
Grond is right, the Silmarillion can be daunting.

Good Luck & Enjoy!

[Aragorn*9]

Originally posted by Phenix
I agree whit them... but I have one question. What is HOME for a book??, I have never heard of it...I think

I got lost with that for a minute too, but then it hit me! I see I wasn't the only who got confused! That makes me feal like less of a idiot!

[Elfarmari]

definitely read the Silmarillion and unfinished tales first. If you like poetry, definitely read Lays of Beleriand!