The classic works of J.R.R. Tolkien, in order of their internal chronology.
The definitive example of the High Fantasy genre, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s assorted works about Middle Earth go far beyond just The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
The First Age
- Ainulindalë
- In The Silmarillion.
- Valaquenta
- In The Silmarillion.
- Quenta Silmarillion, chapter 1-19
- In The Silmarillion.
- Beren and Lúthien
- Published as a separate work.
- Quenta Silmarillion, chapters 20-21
- In The Silmarillion.
- Narn i Hîn Húrin (The Tale of the Children of Húrin)
- In Unfinished Tales.
An expansion of Chapter 21 of “The Silmarillion”. - The Tale of the Children of Húrin: Narn i Chin Húrin
- Published as a separate work.
An expansion of Chapter 21 of “The Silmarillion” and Narn i Hîn Húrin in “Unfinished Tales”. - Quenta Silmarillion, chapters 22-23
- In The Silmarillion.
- Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin
- In Unfinished Tales.
An expansion of Chapter 23 of “The Silmarillion”. - The Fall of Gondolin
- Published as a separate work.
An expansion of Chapter 23 of “The Silmarillion” and “Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin” from “Unfinished Tales”. - Quenta Silmarillion, chapter 24
- In The Silmarillion.
The Second Age
- A Description of the Island of Númenor
- In Unfinished Tales.
- Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner’s Wife
- In Unfinished Tales.
- The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor
- In Unfinished Tales.
- Akallabêth
- In The Silmarillion.
- The History of Galadriel and Celeborn
- In Unfinished Tales.
- The Fall of Númenor
- Published as a separate work.
The Third Age
- The Disaster of the Gladden Fields
- In Unfinished Tales.
- Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan
- In Unfinished Tales.
- The Hobbit
- Published as a separate work
- The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 1, chapters 1-5.
- Published as a separate work.
- The Hunt for the Ring
- In Unfinished Tales.
The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 1, chapters 6-12.- Published as a separate work.
- The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 2, chapters 1-10.
- Published as a separate work.
- The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 3, chapters 1-6
- Published as a separate work.
- The Battles of the Fords of Isen
- In Unfinished Tales.
- The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 3, chapters 7-11, & Book 4, chapters 1-10
- Published as a separate work.
- The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 5, chapters 1-10, and Book 6, chapters 1-4
- Published as a separate work.
The Fourth Age
- The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 6, chapter 5
- Published as a separate work.
- The Quest of Erebor
- In Unfinished Tales.
Takes place during chapter 5 of The Return of the King, Book 6. - The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 6, chapters 6-9
- Published as a separate work.
- Bilbo’s Last Song
- Published as a separate work.
- The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
- Published as a separate work.
- Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
- In The Silmarillion.
- The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of The Lord of the Rings, Appendices
- Published as a separate work.
- The Drúedain
- In Unfinished Tales.
- The Istari
- In Unfinished Tales.
- The Palantiri
- In Unfinished Tales.
what about Fellowhip of the Ring Book 2?
Well, that’s embarrassing. I can’t believe I missed that.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention – I’ve fixed it now.
Where would the History of Middle-Earth and such additions end-up?
I would like to expand my reading order even more.
Thank you !
Hi Beldam.
I left The History of Middle Earth books out on purpose, as they are not an in-universe history but rather a history of Tolkien’s creative process over the decades that he worked on Middle Earth. My suggestion would be to read the fiction first, and then read this series for a look at the creative process behind the scenes.
Thank you !
I really appreciate your reading list.
Would you say that the Adventures of Tom Bombadil would come last as well?
After some consideration, I have placed it after Bilbo’s Last Song – it belongs with the rest of the Red Book of Westmarch.
Hello Admin, How would you place: The Nature of Middle-Earth in the order?
I had somehow completely missed the existence of this book. I will need to read a copy first, and then try to place it.
Hi Simon, I’ve now read The Nature of Middle-Earth, and as it is mostly essays and description rather than narratives, I have decided to omit it from the reading order.
Hello Admin,
1) The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 5 and Book 6, chapters 1-4
2) The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 6, chapter 5
3) The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of The Lord of the Rings, Book 5 and Book 6, chapters 6-9
Per above, I was wondering where is the following being placed as it was not mentioned:
Book 5, chapter 5
Book 5, chapter 10
Thanks!
Hi Simon, sorry about that – the error is actually in 3) – it should not mention Book 5 and all, but I missed that when cutting and pasting. The idea is to read all of Book 5, followed by Book 6, which is occasionally broken up by other writings. I’ve modified the listings above to make this clearer.