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Alan Lee
Alan Lee is an artist celebrated for his illustrations in classic literature. His work includes "Black Ships Before Troy," "The Hobbit Sketchbook," and "The Mirrorstone." He often illustrates epic tales and fantasy stories.
The Fall of Númenor
Synopsis
An illustrated anthology assembling all of Tolkien's writings on the Second Age of Middle-earth -- the rise and fall of the island kingdom of Numenor, the forging of the Rings of Power, and the events leading directly to the War of the Last Alliance that frames The Lord of the Rings. Edited by Brian Sibley, the volume draws from The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, and other sources to create a narrative account of the Second Age, illustrated by Alan Lee. Published to coincide with the release of The Rings of Power television series, the collection provides the primary source material for the Second Age and serves as an essential reference for readers who want to understand the mythology behind Sauron's rise, the creation of the One Ring, and the destruction of Numenor.
Vibe
Genres
Characters
SauronAntagonist
The central villain of the Second Age -- here seen in his fair-seeming form as Annatar the Gift-bringer, manipulating both Elves and the Numenoreans before his corruption destroys everything he touches.
Ar-PharazonSupporting
The last and greatest king of Numenor, whose hubris in challenging the Valar directly brings about the island's destruction.
ElendilSupporting
The lord of the Faithful Numenoreans who escapes the downfall and founds the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor in Middle-earth.
CelebrimborSupporting
The Elvish smith of Eregion who forges the Rings of Power under Sauron's instruction, and is destroyed when Sauron reveals his true nature and takes the One Ring.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Fall of Númenor a new story or a compilation?
This book is a compilation of J.R.R. Tolkien's existing writings concerning the Second Age of Middle-earth, rather than a newly discovered or written narrative. It brings together various texts, some previously published in other collections like The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales, to present a chronological history of Númenor.
Does this book include illustrations?
The Fall of Númenor features illustrations by Alan Lee, known for his work on other Tolkien editions. His artwork provides visual interpretations of the events and settings described in the text.
What is The Fall of Numenor?
An illustrated anthology collecting all of Tolkien's writings on the Second Age of Middle-earth, edited by Brian Sibley and illustrated by Alan Lee. It covers the creation of the Rings of Power, the rise of Numenor, and its catastrophic destruction.
Do I need to read other Tolkien books before this one?
While The Fall of Númenor compiles material from other works, it is structured to provide a comprehensive narrative of the Second Age within its own covers. Readers new to Tolkien's wider mythology can approach this book as an entry point to the history of Númenor without necessarily needing prior knowledge of The Silmarillion or Unfinished Tales, though familiarity with those works would offer additional context.
Is this a new Tolkien book or a compilation?
It is a compilation and anthology -- no new material, but a curated assembly of Second Age material from The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and other sources arranged as a continuous narrative.
Is this the source material for The Rings of Power?
Yes -- The Rings of Power is set in the Second Age and draws on the mythology documented here. The Fall of Numenor collects the primary source texts for the period the series covers.
Do I need to have read The Silmarillion first?
Helpful but not required. Much of the material in this volume also appears in The Silmarillion's later sections, but the anthology format and Alan Lee's illustrations make it more accessible as a standalone experience.
Who was Numenor?
Numenor was an island kingdom given by the Valar to the Men who had aided them in the wars of the First Age. It became the greatest civilisation of Men in Middle-earth before Sauron's influence led its last king to challenge the immortal Valar, resulting in the island's destruction and the reshaping of the world.
What is the One Ring's connection to the fall of Numenor?
The Rings of Power were forged during the Second Age. Sauron's treachery in their creation is one of the major events of this period. His eventual defeat at the end of the Second Age, and the loss of the One Ring, are the events that directly precede The Lord of the Rings.