J.R.R. Tolkien is famous for his literary creation exemplified in The Hobbit" " The Lord of the Rings" & " The Silmarillion". He also produced a vast amount of further material that expands upon the mythology & numerous stories of Middle-Earth & which gives added life to the thous&-year war between the Elves & the evil spirit Morgoth & his terrifying lieutenant Sauron. It was to this task of literary construction that Tolkiens youngest son & literary heir Christopher applied himself to producing the series of twelve books " The History of Middle-Earth". This hardback edition brings together the first five volumes of " The Complete History of Middle-earth": " The Book of Lost Tales Parts 1 & 2" " The Lays of Beleriand" " The Shaping of Middle-Earth" & " The Lost Road". It features dozens of rare maps & illustrations drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien."