The Silmarillion: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien (Tolkien Editions) (Tolkien Illustrated Editions) Hardcover – Illustrated, November 8, 2022

I received this book, in addition to The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings from the same series, as a gift from my wife for my birthday. It is a lovely book. The binding is sewn rather than glued, the paper is nice and thick and vibrant white, the printing quality is sharp and nice deep blues and blacks - it is printed in two colors - and there are a number of illustrated plates made by Tolkien himself throughout. Many of these are rough or unfinished, but it's still nice to see how the author visualized the things he was writing about. The Elvish edge painting of the pages looks very nice relative to the color scheme, and the book is very handsome, either with or without its dust jacket. The book also has a ribbon marker, which I quite liked...although it could have been a little thicker (although that is a very minor nitpick.)As for the book itself? Well, this one is pretty polarizing. People tend to either love it or think it overly dry and academic. It is not written in the narrative style of The Hobbit, or even Lord of the Rings. It's more of a historical summary in many sections, or ancient mythology in others, and is often written in a somewhat high style of English, akin to old mythological works (which Tolkien is clearly emulating - and quite successfully at that.)If I had to pigeonhole this book, I'd say it falls somewhere between The Bible / Beowulf and a history book (think Ancient Roman historians or the like). It covers Ainulindalë, the creation myth of Tolkien's Middle-Earth/Arda, and the early days spent in the light of the Two Trees of Valinor (the Middle-Earth conception of Paradise), the coming of the Elves (the firstborn) and then Men (the followers), plus the history of the eponymous Silmarils (three magical jewels - think of them as the First Age version of the One Ring and you'll get the idea) and the ensuing wars of the First Age that were fought over them between the Elves and the Big Bad, who in this book is Morgoth (think of him as Sauron's old boss, a more powerful and meaner version of the Dark Lord). For context in terms of the timeline of Tolkien's mythology - the First Age of Middle-Earth takes place some 7,000 years before the events of Lord of the Rings. The latter portions of the book also discuss the Second Age and the rise and fall of the Dúnedain of the island kingdom of Númenor, the Kings of Men of whom Aragorn, Faramir and Boromir are descendants. This is Tolkien's Middle-Earth version of the Atlantis myth. Some additional topics concerning the creation of the Rings of Power and their effect on the events of the the late Second & Third Ages are covered as well in the final section.With regards to this specific edition, this is in most ways nearly identical to the much more expensive slipcase edition. The printing, paper, and plates are identical. The maps in this version are smaller than in the slipcase edition, but are still quite nice (there are two maps, folded and fitted behind the front and back covers, and they are loose in both editions.) This edition is not quarterbound, and the hardcover is wrapped in paper rather than cloth - which can mean your hand oils could discolor it over time. However, it is worth mentioning that the slipcase edition has some notable QC issues. There are many reports of the silver embossed stamped foil text on the spine rubbing off quickly and easily, even after sparing and careful use. In my opinion, part of the point of getting books like this is to keep them for the long haul. If they're going to degrade in such a basic way, that defeats the purpose, as far as I am concerned. To me this makes this somewhat less expensive edition preferable - and one that is still likely to last for many years given the quality of its construction.Will you like this book? I think the only real way to answer that is to pick it up and give it a try. You will know after a few chapters if it's for you. I personally love it, and read it every couple of years. I consider it to be a treasure trove of lore and world-building that greatly enriches the world that underpins his more famous books, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. You will find much information here that is only hinted at or referred to in passing in those books, which will add depth and significance to those references in future readings. As I said, it's written in an older style of English, and some may consider it a tough read. If you stick with it though, it can be incredibly rewarding. There are some fantastic stories in here; love stories, tragic antiheroes, mythical battles, acts of heroism, valor, betrayal and evil.For those that are familiar with the book already, this is an excellent edition, and one that I can happily recommend. I am very glad to have these; I find that they are good for reading, but also look great on my shelf. This would make an excellent gift for the Tolkien enthusiast in your house. You can get this, plus the matching editions of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings together for a reasonable price here on Amazon. Any fan of Middle-earth is sure to love these!

This is a review of the editions, with an image, not the text itself. If I'm wrong about anything let me know and I'll correct it.1998 edition:Cover: “Maglor casts a Silmaril …” (male throwing white gem against red background)18 illustrations by Ted NasmithReadable, nice, can be found around $20-$30 used. Crazy that this edition is almost 35 years old.Art:1. The Sea2. The Lamp of the Valar3. At Lake Cuiviénen4. The Light of Valinor on the Western Sea5. Fingolfin Leads the Host across the Helcaraxe6. The First Dawn of the Sun7. Maedhros's Rescue from Thangorodrim8. Eöl Welcomes Aredhel9. Felagund among Beor's Men10. By Moonlight in Neldoreth Forest11. Lúthien Escapes upon Huan12. Morgoth Punishes Húrin13. Túrin and his Band are Led to Amon Radh14. Finduilas is Led past Túrin at the Sack of Nargothrond15. Ulmo Appears before Tor16. Eärendil the Mariner17. The Eagles of Manwe18. The Ships of the FaithfulFront over: Maglor Casts a Silmaril into the SeaBack cover: Beren and Luthien are carried to Safety2004 edition:Cover: “White Ships of Valinor” (white boats sailing in fair weather, island in background)45 illustrations by Ted NasmithGlossy paper, which can be a positive or negative I guessCan be found around $25 new, which is a DEAL. This is mine for reading without fear of damaging a collector’s item.Art:1. The Sea2. The Lamp of the Valar3. Aule Prepares to Destroy His Children4. At Lake Cuiviénen5. The Light of Valinor on the Western Sea6. The Ships of the Teleri Drawn by Swans7. The Kinslaying at Alqualonde8. Fingolfin Leads the Host across the Helcaraxe9. The First Dawn of the Sun10. The Burning of the Ships11. Maedhros' Rescue from Thangorodrim12. The Gates of Sirion13. Eöl Welcomes Aredhel14. Eöl is Led to the Walls15. Felagund among Beor's Men16. Fingolfin's Wrath17. The Orc-Host is Ambushed in Brethil18. Tarn Aeluin19. By Moonlight in Neldoreth Forest20. Lúthien Escapes upon Huan21. Transformed22. Beren and Lúthien are Carried to Safety23. Huan's Leap24. Morgoth Punishes Húrin25. The Hill of Slain26. Saeros' Fatal Leap27. Túrin and his Band are Led to Amon Rûdh28. Beleg is Slain29. Túrin Bears Gwindor to Safety30. Finduilas is Led past Túrin at the Sack of Nargothrond31. Túrin Reaches the Abandoned Homestead32. Up the Rainy Stair33. Húrin Finds Morwen34. Tuor Follows the Swans to Vinyamar35. Ulmo Appears before Tuor36. Tuor and Voronwe see Turin at the Pools of Ivrin37. The Escape from Gondolin38. Maglor Casts a Silmaril into the Sea39. Earendil the Mariner40. White Ships from Valinor41. The Eagles of Manwe42. Tar-Miriel and the Great Wave43. The Ships of the Faithful44. The Forging of the One45. The White Tree2021 edition:Cover: “Ships of the Faithful” ship sailing amidst storm/red sky49 illustrations by Ted NasmithCan be found closer to $40Regular flat paper, not glossy. More standard book-shaped, whereas the 2004 version is more square, like a coffee table book. Mine was used and did NOT include a fold-out map, but the colorized Christopher Tolkien Beleriand map is in the front plate and endplate (inside the cover, both ends).Art:1. The Sea2. The Lamp of the Valar3. Aule Prepares to Destroy His Children4. At Lake Cuiviénen5. The Light of Valinor on the Western Sea6. The Ships of the Teleri Drawn by Swans7. The Kinslaying at Alqualonde8. Fingolfin Leads the Host across the Helcaraxe9. The First Dawn of the Sun10. The Burning of the Ships11. Maedhros' Rescue from Thangorodrim12. The Gates of Sirion13. Eöl Welcomes Aredhel14. Eöl is Led to the Walls15. Felagund among Beor's Men16. Fingolfin's Wrath17. Turgon at Fingolfin's Cairn18. The Orc-Host is Ambushed in Brethil19. At Tarn Aeluin20. By Moonlight in Neldoreth Forest21. Lúthien Escapes upon Huan22. Transformed23. Beren and Lúthien are Carried to Safety24. Huan's Leap25. Lúthien at Tol Galen26. Morgoth Punishes Húrin27. The Hill of Slain28. Saeros' Fatal Leap29. Túrin and his Band are Led to Amon Rûdh30. Beleg is Slain31. Túrin Bears Gwindor to Safety32. Finduilas is Led past Túrin at the Sack of Nargothrond33. Túrin Reaches the Abandoned Homestead34. Up the Rainy Stair35. The Slaying of Glaurung36. Húrin Finds Morwen37. Tuor Follows the Swans to Vinyamar38. Ulmo Appears before Tuor39. Tuor and Voronwe see Türin at the Pools of Ivrin40. The Escape from Gondolin41. Eärendil Searches Tirion42. Maglor Casts a Silmaril into the Sea43. Eärendil the Mariner44. White Ships from Valinor45. The Eagles of Manwe46. Tar-Miriel and the Great Wave47. The Ships of the Faithful48. The Forging of the One49. The White Tree2022 edition:Blue cover with circular design59 illustrations by Tolkien himself – BUT more than half of these are “devices,” neat little square symbols at the start of a chapter and so on—not big full color paintings or drawings.Around $40. Be aware, Tolkien’s artwork consists more of drawings and sketches with limited color. They are not the epic Ted Nasmith paintings you see in others. If you value his quaint older sketches, these are great. Personally, Nasmith’s objectively better work is more inspiring and helps me engage in the story. Tolkien is a GREAT writer, and a pretty good artist. Nasmith is a GREAT artist.I like them all. If I was only going to get one, I’d get the 2004 version because you get a ton of great Nasmith artwork for an insanely cheap twenty-five bucks (today). Tolkien’s own art is neat, but if you want to be encouraged through a dense book, Nasmith’s art helps pull you in and pull you along.

i'll read it at some point but book looks nice its sturdy has a removable map so its good if you get a more expensive book version im sure the map gets bigger but this works enjoy book has illustrations - m owens

Great addition to my collection. So much information is in this book. Names and places I’ll never remember because there are so many, but still a wonderful read. Highly recommend.

Sensational quality! Tolkien rules!

Classic Tolkien work! This is my second copy, this one is the better version. :)

Beautiful edition of a classic.

I'm assuming that you're into this kind of stories and know about it. The book is gorgeous, to me even better looking than the more premium one but this is as premium as it gets, maybe a couple of nitpicks about built materials but you just can't go wrong with this one.