The Silmarillion is the core of J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginative writing, a work that he could not publish in his lifetime because it grew with him.  Its origins stretch back to a time long before The Hobbit was caught up in what Tolkien called "the branching acquisitive theme" begun in The Silmarillion, and eventually The Lord of the Rings emerged from this as well.

Tolkien considered The Silmarillion his most important work, and, though published last and posthumously, this great collection of tales and legends clearly sets the stage for all his other works.  For this is the story of the creation of the world and the happenings of the First Age.  This is the ancient drama to which characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, and in whose events some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part.  The three Silmarils were jewels created by Fëanor, most gifted of the Elves.  Within them was imprisoned the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor before the Trees themselves were destroyed by Morgoth, the first Dark Lord.  Thereafter the unsullied Light of Valinor lived on only in the Silmarils; but they were seized by Morgoth and set in his crown, guarded in the impenetrable fortress of Angband in the north of Middle-earth.  The Silmarillion is the history of the rebellion of Fëanor and his kindred against the gods, their exile from Valinor and return to Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all their heroism, against the great Enemy.

The book includes several other, shorter works, in addition to "The Silmarillion" itself.  Preceding it are "The Ainulindalë," a myth of the Creation, and "The Valaquenta," in which the nature and power of the gods is set forth.  After "The Silmarillion" comes "The Akallabêth," a tale of the downfall of the kingdom on Númenor; and finally, "Of the Rings of Power," the connecting link to The Lord of the Rings.

J.R.R.TOLKIEN, known to millions as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, was also known as a distinguished scholar in the field of English Language and Literature, which he taught at Oxford for many years.

The Silmarillion tells of the Elder days, of the First Age of J. R. R. Tolkien's World, when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle Earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor.  It is to this ancient drama that the characters in The Lord of the Rings so often look back.

Sit at the feet of the most beloved storyteller of the 20th century and hear how the world came to be.  The Silmarillion is told here in a brilliantly faceted audio production, with all the glory of the First Age itself.  Dazzlingly performed by Martin Shaw, it sparkles with the magic of the dawn of time - when Elves and Men roamed a world set spinning through space by the haunting music of supernatural choirs.  Slip through the shadows and you, too, may catch the whisper of harp-song on the winds of the high air above the mists of the world.


JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN (1892 - 1973) was born in South Africa and educated in England.  In 1916, while serving in World War I, he fell ill and was sent home to recuperate.  During this time, Tolkien began writing his Book of Lost Tales, a collection of stories that was eventually known as The Silmarillion.  Edited by his son, Christopher, it was published posthumously in 1977.  Tolkien is best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

MARTIN SHAW studied drama at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and has starred on stage, television, and in film.  He won a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for a Tony Award® for his role in An Ideal Husband.