Upon review, the Great Tales books don't match up perfectly with these on the shelf, so maybe we will get new versions of those down the line? I would certainly love illustrated editions of those as well! What say you?
I’m finding that I like to have two copies of Tolkien books: one to read and get thrashed up and bent, and one as a display piece that remains on the shelf! 💪
@@D3A7HS7R1K3 i just got the Hobbit illustrated by the author and other artists, i was shocked how big it is because of the notes and artwork. Didnt expect a small book to be this big.
Mine are still pretty tight in there. But it's great. I also love the flip covers. The only other time I've seen this was Star Wars: Last Shot - A Han and Lando Novel by Daniel José Older. Del Rey gave you a Han Solo cover which you could flip into a Lando cover. That was pretty cool.
They also put the Silmarillion and unfinished tales in the box set so the references Christopher Tolkien makes to them throughout the history of middle earth match up. Without the original print the later illustrated versions don’t correspond.
As a professional driver, I listened to the Hobbit, LOTR trilogy and the SIlmarillion on audiobook. Here's hoping some of these other books become available on audiobook!
Only twenty years, you’re funny. I think you’re right on why including The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales was the right choice. I think the great tales books should be included for the same reason. p.s. Meant to mention I love the alternate covers.
The editions of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales included apparently replicate the text and pagecount from their first editions, which are referenced throughout the HoME volumes, hence their inclusion here (as other recent editions no longer match). I see it as a nice bonus. I already own a recent edition with tarniquetil as a cover which is my go-to-just for reading edition (matches the 2014 LOTR&Companion box set)
These look so awesome! So happy these are coming out and excited for the whole collection to be released! Funny i just asked you on the 1 million livestream how to collect the history of middle earth!
@NerdoftheRings Thanks so much for showing these off! You made me decide to wait it out now haha! I am not the biggest fan of mismatch or the risk of buying used books in unknown condition for Tolkien books. I look forward to your amazing videos as always as I continue my early journey of Tolkien and learning from you Master Nerd 🥰
I don't own any of the books, but want them. I'm considering the 2020 illustrated set, along with the other illustrated books. There's also a new collectors edition of the Hobbit, LotR, and Silmarillion coming out this year that are looking nice. There's just so much, I don't know what to get. I probably should get something more affordable, but idk. I kept hearing "if you were only going to get one set get this one!"
Totally agree on Illustrated versions of all 12 volumes. And they need to be on good paper with sewn bindings like Illustrated Unfinished Tales. I would buy all 12 for sure. Looks like this new set has cheaper paper and probably glued binding. And I probably will not get them for that reason even though I want to purchase all the History of Middle Earth volumes for the first time. We did not need inferior versions of Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales in these sets either.
Would you ever do something like a chapter by chapter read along type thing? Like every week, you'd make a video summarizing what happened in a chapter (maybe 2-3 chapters) of one of tolkiens' books, and viewers can read along with you each week! And then watch your video to recap the chapter(s). Especially with some of the denser books, this could really help people (: just a thought!
Also, the books in this box set have Unique Barcodes so maybe HarperCollins decides to sell them separately for those that don't want to double dip(silmarillion and Unfinished tales).
Thanks for the video! Nerd, please Upload a video with the soundtrack you put at the end of the channel's videos. This track is very beautiful and you would make many people's day happier by posting it in full for us to listen to. Thank you.
Totally agree with you. Obviously, all collector's items and wonderful reading of Tolkien ranging from the Beast to the individual books. I do think that having the "smaller" and "portable" versions of these will add a dimension of adding more, and even younger readers of Tolkien. In other words, when my nephews come over, I'd rather hand them a smaller version of my collection than the Beast, you know what I mean? lol I may have missed it, but would someone guide me better concerning the digital copies? Good idea there, if we're sticking to the portability factor...
The page number references in HoMe to Silm/UT don't match the recent editions of these, but the versions in these box sets will have the same pagination as the original editions that Christopher used to reference. If I were flush with cash I would be getting these in a flash, but I'm already 2/3 the way through getting the Howe cover paperbacks for HoMe, so will (for now) have to focus on getting those. And I already have three editions of the Silmarillion, so hard to persuade on this one!
I think for me, which books I bought would depend on how the paper and fonts compared between the books. Small type fonts anymore just give me a headache. As an aside I recall fondly how thrilled I was pre-ordering "The Silmarillion" when it was coming out. Then waiting in line at a bookstore to get my copy once it came in. Fond memories. I'd love to own fully illustrated versions of each book as an aside.
Just this last Christmas I got the illustrated box set of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and I think I might need to get these history of middle earth boxed sets. I’ve never read any middle earth books beyond the hobbit and LoTR. I only discovered these because I was looking to get a copy of The Silmarillion. I will probably get the boxes instead of just the illustrated Silmarillion because I’d prefer the slimmer book.
Just got my box set. Same thing with book of lost tales part 1 sleeve misalignment. It looks like it was folded incorrectly but can be adjusted with careful precision
Thanks for doing this! I have the old DEL REY paperbacks of BoLT vol 1&2, plus the set coming out in April. While I have the paperback and illustrated versions of the Silmarillion, I don't have UT.
They look amazing but that price point....oooph. I do hope they re-release the rest of Christopher Tolkien's History of Middle-Earth, books 6-12 in updated paperback forms as well
The HoMe illustrated hardcover sets is something I wish for intensely! I want to match it with my current illustrated Tolkien collection and feel the other HoMe boxsets don't match that vibe. Would you say this new set tries to fill that gap? And does it live up to it? Love your work, keep going. ❤
I have a question. If Sauron won, if he succeeded in conquering Middle Earth, would he have tried to free Morgoth? Did he still see himself as a servant of Morgoth? Or would have he have gone all Sith Lord and betrayed his master?
This is a really beautiful set and I hope to pick it up, thanks for the review. How much will it cost and why does this whole particular set all have The Fall of Gondolin themed covers? They’re beautiful but I’m curious if there’s a specific reason. Personally my favorite edition of the Silmarillion is the Ted Nasmith edition. I really love the layout, art, and paper quality. It’s too bad this set only has art on the covers.
I’ve never read any of the history of middle earth books… which would you recommend reading first? I do own silmarillion and the children of Hurin. Haven’t read them yet… Let me know 😊 on second thought, is Children of Hurin actually considered part of history of middle earth?
I find myself referencing Peoples of Middle-earth pretty often. Maybe it would be worth looking at synopses for the books and picking whichever sounds most interesting? The nice thing about them is you don't have to go in order by any means. That being said, if you haven't checked out any of the 3 great tales, Silmarillion, or Unfinished Tales - I'd definitely recommend starting with those.
The tale of the children of Húrin first appears as part of The Silmarillion. The Children of Hurin book is a much larger, expanded version of that story with commentary and notes. Personally, I'd start with The Silmarillion and then Unfinished Tales and then go from there depending on what you are most interested in.
I don't get it, I got the box set that contains the hobbit and 3 lotr books illustrated editions last year, now they release a box set that looks almost identical but these aren't illustrated editions? I was almost about to buy this, glad I watched this video
These are already on my shelf. they're nice. tho it seems all of these were printed with the lost tales vol 1 noticeably off center on the spine. illustrated versions would be really nice and totally expected (gotta make that chedder!) but i really wish these at least had the bookmark ribbons...
I think these look good for a shelf, but I hope the mass market paperback box sets continue for History of Middle Earth because I think paperbacks are so much easier to read
Hi , i love LOTR and the whole world of it but never had the chance to read more than just the LOTR Story & the Hobbit , would you reccomend these for someone new? also is there any books out which will not be covered by these 4 boxsets you would suggest getting so i can read all the lore and story. thanks
Are there any compilation videos of the Robert E. Howard’s Kull, and Conan books? They’re my favorite fantasy books. And Robert E Howard was a crazy ass Texan.
At least you stopped taking Ad breaks in the middle of your long form Ads. Great content, you've fully evolved into a late-night Blade and Jewelry hawker....
How do you keep your books when traveling with them without ruining them? Personally I got some pocket versions that I bring with me but that also keeps me from reading these versions.
Hello, I hope you're well. I have a question to ask. With Christmas approaching, albeit a tad late for that occasion, my father's birthday is just around the corner in the following month. He possesses an ardent affection for the literature found within the pages of 'The Lord of the Rings.' To be precise, he cherishes his worn and weathered paperbacks that have been a constant companion since the 1990s. I am keen on gifting him a splendid edition of 'The Lord of the Rings' in a single, hardcover volume, preferably one adorned with illustrations. Might you have any recommendations in this regard? Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.
I’m looking for a full set of all published Middle Earth books that all match each-other on the shelf, like a complete set. Can anybody in this great community recommend one? Thanks 🙏
The Tolkien estate needs to stop pumping out these poor quality money grab versions (I see no sewn binding at 2:27). Why in Eru's name can't they at least work with one of the standard Bible publishing houses to produce high quality "bible paper" versions of all the extant works? You know, soft leather covers, Smyth Sewn bindings, multiple book ribbons, etc? You can buy a damn fine bible of 1500+ pages only an inch thick for $20 USD! Does Nerd of the Rings have any contacts at the Tolkien estate?
From what I heard not all of them contain four books. The remaining books will be the other 10 history of Middle Earth books as well as a book for the index of the history of Middle Earth.
