The Book of Lost Tales - Part One Author:J. R. R. Tolkein "Lost Tales (Book 1) is a highly interesting and valuable book in a variety of ways. It affords us an almost over-the-shoulder view into the evolving creative process and genius of J. R. R. Tolkein in a new exciting aspect, not seen before. In addition, it gives us much information and rich detail, often highly illuminating, that was later to ... more »be greatly compressed or passed over in the published The Silmarillion. Further, it sheds much new light on the way in which Tolkein's mythology was intended in its original conception as a mythology for England, the basis for which was not easily seen in earlier published writings. Two other aspects are additionally seen. There is new linguistic information, not known before. The superb, sensitive, and extremely helpful commentary and editing done by Christopher Tolkein makes all this possible."