I am not sure how many times I have read this book but it has to be over five. I just love reading about the earlier ages of Middle Earth - long before there was a Frodo or even a Gandalf. You can piece together how it was that the alliances and kingdoms were formed well before the events of Lord of the Rings takes place. This book is sort of like the Book of Genesis in the bible - it explains the world's origin and lays out the creation of all the creatures in it. It also deals with the fall of the Noldor - a subrace of elves that love to craft items of exquisite beauty and power. For those familiar with LOTR, think of Galadriel and you get an idea on the potency of these people. Their greatest craftsman, Feanor, creates the Silmarils - three gems with unparalled allure and embued with the light of creation inside - and everything goes great until the main villain, Morgoth, decides to steal them and take the gems back to his frosty domain. The Noldor are very proud and decide to chase him with their armies despite a ban on leaving the Western Lands from their deities. The Noldor commit crimes against their fellow elves and find themselves in a hostile land, exiled and without friends. The book mostly deals with the tales that follow this exile, as the Noldor try desperately to get their Silmarils back as well as surviving Morgoth's constant forays into their kingdom. These are truly epic battles with hosts of superpowered elves versus regiments of balrogs and dragons. The only down side to the book is that it reads somewhat like a book of myths - more like a account of events than a true novel (which it is not). Don't expect it to be like LOTR - it is more like Robert Graves' books on Greek myths. Having said that, if you are at all curious about the origins of those powerful beings from LOTR such as Galadriel, Elrond, Sauron or even the family tree of Aragorn, this book is well worth reading. It is only about 300 pages for the narrative part (the rest being appendices) so it won't take you all year either. Recommended for the earnest Tolkien fan.

When reading this book I had to constantly remind myself that it was fiction. It was so detailed and the world he created was just amazing! How could one man have such an imagination?!

For years I have enjoyed my mass market paperback edition of The Silmarillion. I kept seeing this lovely illustrated hardback edition on Chapters on-line, but I never found a copy in store. I was reluctant to spend $30 on a book I already had without at least seeing it to know if it was worth the expense.

Finally, I decided that I would get a copy before it went out of print, as this 2004 edition is now 5 years old. My copy arrived today, and I am not disappointed. It is beautiful. It is printed on heavy white stock that really brings out the details in the wonderful paintings. It also comes with a fantastic full colour fold out map. The cover is hardback with extra heavy board.

This is most certainly the edition that I will enjoy reading the most. While I may not carry it to work on the bus because of its size, weight, and quality; those attributes will encourage me to sit in the most comfortable chair in the house to experience all that this edition has to offer!

If you love Tolkien, but haven't read The Silmarillion yet, this is the edition to get. The maps and illustrations will draw you in to this prequel to all things Middle Earth.

Another way to enhance your enjoyment of this book would be to read along to the Silmarillion Boxed Set of CDs with The Atlas of Middle-Earth by your side!

Take a look back the first ages of middle earth and expierience the creator of the Silmarils. The three perfect jewels crafted by the powerful Noldor Elf Feanor. The Silmarils hold the last remaining light of Valinor. When the first Dark Loard Melkor steals the Silmarils for his own needs Feanor and his sons swear an unbreakable oath to retrieve the lost jewels. They wage war on the Dark Loard for many years to redeem their oath. A wonderful fantasy explaining the fisrst age of J.R.R Tolkiens middle earth.This book is a breath taking master piece.