Book description
A major new examination of how J. R.R. Tolkien came to write his
original masterpiece 'The Hobbit', including his complete unpublished
draft version of the story, and many little-known illustrations and
previously unpublished maps by Tolkien himself.
For the first time in one volume, The History of the Hobbit presents
the complete unpublished text of the original manuscript of J. R.R.
Tolkien's The Hobbit, accompanied by John Rateliff's lively and
informative account of how the book came to be written and published. As
well as recording the numerous changes made to the story both before and
after publication, it examines - chapter-by-chapter - why those changes
were made and how they reflect Tolkien's ever-growing concept of Middle-earth.
The Hobbit was first published on 21 September 1937. Like its
successor, The Lord of the Rings, it is a story that "grew in the
telling", and many characters and story threads in the published
text are completely different from what Tolkien first wrote to read
aloud to his young sons as part of their "fireside reads".
As well as reproducing the original version of one of literature's most
famous stories, both on its own merits and as the foundation for The
Lord of the Rings, this new book includes many little-known
illustrations and previously unpublished maps for The Hobbit by Tolkien
himself. Also featured are extensive annotations and commentaries on the
date of composition, how Tolkien's professional and early mythological
writings influenced the story, the imaginary geography he created, and
how Tolkien came to revise the book years after publication to
accommodate events in The Lord of the Rings.
Like Christopher Tolkien's The History of The Lord of the Rings before
it, this is a thoughtful yet exhaustive examination of one of the most
treasured stories in English literature. Long overdue for a classic book
now celebrating 75 years in print, this companion edition offers
fascinating new insights for those who have grown up with this
enchanting tale, and will delight those who are about to enter Bilbo's
round door for the first time. John D. Rateliff moved to Wisconsin in
1981 in order to work with the Tolkien manuscripts at Marquette
University. He has been active in Tolkien scholarship for many years,
delivering papers on Tolkien and the Inklings. While at Marquette, he
assisted in the collation of their holdings with those Christopher
Tolkien was editing for his History of Middle-earth series. A
professional editor, he lives in the Seattle area with his wife and
three cats, only one of whom is named after a Tolkien character.
