The Fall of Númenor

More about the book

J.R.R. Tolkien described the Second Age of Middle-earth as a dark age, with limited history revealed primarily through The Lord of the Rings and its appendices, which include the forging of the Rings of Power and the rise of Sauron. Christopher Tolkien's posthumous publication of The Silmarillion allowed for a more comprehensive narrative, particularly regarding the rise and fall of Númenor. This island kingdom, granted to Men for aiding the Valar and Elves against Morgoth, became a powerful realm. However, as the Númenóreans grew in strength, their eventual downfall was set in motion, leading to the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Further insights into the Second Age emerged from later works, including Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, and Christopher Tolkien's extensive twelve-volume The History of Middle-earth, which presented many of his father's writings in draft form. Now, editor Brian Sibley has compiled a new chronicle of the Second Age, adhering to the timeline of The Tale of Years in the appendices, using Tolkien's words from various texts and featuring new watercolor and pencil illustrations by renowned Tolkien artist Alan Lee.