The Book of Lost Tales, Part 1

Discover the origins of Middle-earth in The Book of Lost Tales – Part One, the foundational volume of Tolkien's vast legendarium. These are the earliest versions of what would later evolve into The Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings, and beyond—tales first imagined during World War I and steeped in rich mythic language. Here, the world of Elves, Valar, and Men takes its first breath through stories such as The Cottage of Lost Play, The Fall of Gondolin, and The Tale of Tinúviel. Edited and annotated by Christopher Tolkien, this volume reveals the raw beauty, shifting names, and developmental sketches of Tolkien's myth-making genius. It is a treasure trove for devoted fans and scholars, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of the master as he began shaping a mythology for England.

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973) was an English author, scholar, and linguist best known for creating The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954–1955). Born in South Africa, he moved to England as a child and later studied at Oxford, where he became a professor of Anglo-Saxon and English literature. A veteran of World War I, Tolkien drew on his love of mythology, language, and medieval literature to craft Middle-earth, an intricate fantasy world with its own histories, cultures, and languages like Elvish. His works, blending epic adventure with deep themes of heroism, friendship, and the struggle against evil, redefined modern fantasy. Though initially slow to gain popularity, The Lord of the Rings became a global phenomenon, influencing countless writers and artists. Tolkien continued expanding his legendarium until his death in 1973, with posthumous works like The Silmarillion (1977) further enriching his mythos. Today, he is celebrated as one of literature's greatest world-builders.