Chronology Question

[ccs88]

Hello everyone,

I used to be very versed in Tolkien and his literature, although it's been many years and I seem to have forgotten most of what I knew. :*down

I would love to get back into his books, and I was curious if anyone could provide me with a Middle-Earthean timeline of sorts. I want to start with the books that entail the beginnings of Middle Earth, or it's earliest history, and end with... post-Frodo material.

I hope this makes sense! If anyone can help me I'd really appreciate it.

 

[HLGStrider]

If I am understanding your question right you are asking what order to read Tolkien's works in if you want to retrace the history from a chronological standpoint, right?

If so you would start with the Silmarillion, then the Hobbit, then Lord of the Rings itself. The Children of Hurin involves the longer retelling of something that happens during the course of the Silmarillion, so you could possibly slip it between the Sil and the Hobbit, but personally I think you'd get a better understanding of the lore by coming back to it later after finishing with the entire series. The History of Middle-earth is also something to be considered but I have to admit I have never read it in its entirety. There are 12 volumes total and the stories span from beginning to end http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_History_of_Middle-earth. It is also expensive even when you can find it at a book store and most libraries only carry a few volumes. I've read pieces of it whenever I can find it one at a library, but I'd advise reading the other volumes before investing in it or tracking it down.

 

[Thorin]

Hey ccs,

My recommendation would be to start with History of Middle Earth X, "Morgoth's Ring", then read The Silmarillion (which will cover some of the same material but more condensed), then The Hobbit, then Lord of the Rings. After that I would recommend Unfinished Tales which adds 'deleted scenes' you could say from Sil, Hobbit and LoTR as well as other things from the history of Middle Earth. Then I would probably tackle some of the other books from HoME.

 

[Ingolmin]

I being a loremaster know that you should be guided correctly so that you attain satisfaction.
Read in progression, Hobbit, Lord of Rings, Silmarillion and the Unfinished Tales. Then proceed to the History of Middle Earth.
If you have already read the LOtr, then you should read the next two books. Also read the Appendixes at the end of the Lord of the Rings. An account of the full Third Age and the beginning of the Fourth age events are mentioned.
Thank You.