Notes
Return to Bag-End, a collection of writings by J.R.R. Tolkien relating to The Hobbit, edited with exhaustive commentary, appendices and index by John D. Rateliff.

Part 2 of The History of The Hobbit.

Published on 18 June 2007.

Various illustrations, sketches, maps and manuscript pages by J.R.R. Tolkien appear as frontispieces, on page 602 and on four unnumbered pages between pages 686 and 687.

* Page numbering begins at 469, following on from Mr. Baggins.

Details of all British editions of Return to Bag-End can be found via these links to Tolkienbooks.net:

• First Edition 2007
• First Paperback Edition 2008

The History of The Hobbit presents for the first time, in two volumes, the complete text of the original manuscript of The Hobbit, and this is accompanied by John D. Rateliff’s lively and informative commentary which looks at the story behind Tolkien’s tale and discusses the many themes contained within. As well as recording the numerous changes made to the story both before and after publication, it examines – chapter by chapter – why those changes were made and how they reflect Tolkien’s ever growing concept of Middle-earth.

Featured here are extensive annotations and essays on the date of composition, the influence of Tolkien’s professional and early mythological writings, the imaginary geography, and Tolkien’s later revisions. Finally, this edition makes available for the first time the text of Tolkien’s attempt to recast The Hobbit into the style of The Lord of the Rings.

This major examination of one of the most treasured stories in English literature will offer fascinating new insights to those who have grown up with this enchanting tale of Hobbits and delight those who are about to enter Bilbo’s round door for the first time.