In one volume for the first time this revised & updated examination of how J.R.R. Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece The Hobbit
Includes:: his complete unpublished draft version of the story together with notes & illustrations by Tolkien himself. For the first time in one volume The History of the Hobbit presents the complete unpublished text of the original manuscript of J.R.R. Tolkiens The Hobbit accompanied by John Rateliffs lively & informative account of how the book came to be written & published. As well as recording the numerous changes made to the story both before & after publication it examines
- chapter-by-chapter
- why those changes were made & how they reflect Tolkiens ever-growing concept of Middle-earth. The Hobbit was first published on 21 September 1937. Like its successor The Lord of the Rings it is a story that grew in the telling" & many characters & story threads in the published text are completely different from what Tolkien first wrote to read aloud to his young sons as part of their "fireside reads". As well as reproducing the original version of one of literatures most famous stories both on its own merits & as the foundation for The Lord of the Rings this new book
Includes:: many little-known illustrations & previously unpublished maps for The Hobbit by Tolkien himself. Also featured are extensive annotations & commentaries on the date of composition how Tolkiens professional & early mythological writings influenced the story the imaginary geography he created & how Tolkien came to revise the book years after publication to accommodate events in The Lord of the Rings. Like Christopher Tolkiens The History of The Lord of the Rings before it this is a thoughtful yet exhaustive examination of one of the most treasured stories in English literature. Long overdue for a classic book now celebrating 75 years in print this companion edition offers fascinating new insights for those who have grown up with this enchanting tale & will delight those who are about to enter Bilbos round door for the first time."