The fourth volume that contains the early myths & legends which led to the writing of Tolkiens epic tale of war The Silmarillion. In this fourth volume of The History of Middle-earth the shaping of the chronological & geographical structure of the legends of Middle-earth & Valinor is spread before us. We are introduced to the hitherto unknown Ambarkanta or Shape of the World" the only account ever given of the nature of the imagined Universe ccompanied by maps & diagrams of the world before & after the cataclyusms of The War of the Gods & the Downfall of Numenor. The first map of Beleriend is also reproduced & discussed. In The Annals of Valinor & The Annals of Beleriend we are shown how the chronology of the First Age was moulded: & the tale is told of Aelfwine the Englishman who voyaged into the True West & came to Tol Eressea Lonely Isle where he learned the ancient history of Elves & Men. Also included are the original Silmarillion of 1926 & the Quenta Noldorinwa of 1930 -- the only version of the myths & legends of the First Age that J R R Tolkien completed to their end."