The War of the Jewels by Christopher Tolkien

Description

“The War of the Jewels” is a book edited and compiled by Christopher Tolkien, the son of J.R.R. Tolkien. It is the ninth volume in “The History of Middle-earth,” a series of books that explores the evolution, development, and background of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, which includes “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.”

Published in 1994, “The War of the Jewels” focuses on the later stages of J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing process and includes various versions and drafts of stories related to the “Silmarillion” mythology. The book contains texts that deal with the First Age of Middle-earth, including the creation of the world, the fall of Númenor, and the wars against the Dark Lord Morgoth.

“The History of Middle-earth” series, of which “The War of the Jewels” is a part, offers readers a unique behind-the-scenes look at J.R.R. Tolkien’s creative process. It includes early drafts, notes, manuscripts, and commentary by Christopher Tolkien that shed light on the development of characters, plotlines, and the world-building that went into the creation of Tolkien’s iconic works.

While “The War of the Jewels” and other volumes in “The History of Middle-earth” series are primarily intended for dedicated Tolkien enthusiasts and scholars, they provide invaluable insights into the evolution of Middle-earth and the extensive thought and effort that J.R.R. Tolkien put into crafting his fictional universe.