The Fall of Númenor
And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-Earth
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The Fall of Númenor
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Narrated by:
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Samuel West
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Brian Sibley
About this listen
J.R.R. Tolkien famously described the Second Age of Middle-earth as a ‘dark age, and not very much of its history is (or need be) told’. And for many years readers would need to be content with the tantalizing glimpses of it found within the pages of The Lord of the Rings and its appendices, including the forging of the Rings of Power, the building of the Barad-dûr and the rise of Sauron.
It was not until Christopher Tolkien published The Silmarillion after his father’s death that a fuller story could be told. Although much of the book’s content concerned the First Age of Middle-earth, there were at its close two key works that revealed the tumultuous events concerning the rise and fall of the island of Númenor. Raised out of the Great Sea and gifted to the Men of Middle-earth as a reward for aiding the angelic Valar and the Elves in the defeat and capture of the Dark Lord Morgoth, the kingdom became a seat of influence and wealth; but as the Númenóreans’ power increased, the seed of their downfall would inevitably be sown, culminating in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.
Even greater insight into the Second Age would be revealed in subsequent publications, first in Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, then expanded upon in Christopher Tolkien’s magisterial twelve-volume The History of Middle-earth, in which he presented and discussed a wealth of further tales written by his father, many in draft form.
Now, adhering to the timeline of ‘The Tale of Years’ in the appendices to The Lord of the Rings, editor Brian Sibley has assembled into one comprehensive volume a new chronicle of the Second Age of Middle-earth, told substantially in the words of J.R.R. Tolkien from the various published texts.
©2022 HarperCollinsPublishers (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers LtdListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"How, given little over half a century of work, did one man become the creative equivalent of a people?" (The Guardian)
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What listeners say about The Fall of Númenor
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- brian dunn
- 22-11-22
fantastic book
great story. well read. best of the Tolkien books that are published after lotrs. A must have I think
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 16-11-22
Stupendous!
Faithfully and superbly compiled and edited. Beautifully narrated with a deep love, knowledge and understanding of the words and the lore they reveal. Thank you so very much for this. I have loved the work of the Tolkiens for 50 years since the age of 17; would that they have lived for ever. Namarie nya meloni.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mel
- 26-05-24
Great insight into the development of the Numenorians
I thought this was going to be a long novel, such as the Hobbit. However, it turned out to be much more. I gain dome understanding of the complexity and difficulty that JRR Tolkien went through in developing the Numenorian history. This gives me even more appreciation for his other works especially in the development of the human kingdoms.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- wayne davies
- 18-11-22
A Must have for all Tolkien fans
A great collection of second age writings all in one place. I got the deluxe version too for the shelf but the audio book will be listened to again and again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 06-01-23
classic tolkein
and a fine introduction to the work of the professors devoted son. will reread again and again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Richard Hegner
- 29-11-22
A must for fans of Tolkien, Especially if you are interested in this corner of middle Earth
A great antidote to Amazons poorly made and offensive uber woke series, that is “reflecting the world, North America, that we live in today.” This book sets the record straight and the audio version is beautifully made
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jake Bennett
- 19-01-23
Superb Compendium of Numenor.
Of all the history of the chronology of Middle-earth, Numenor is one of the most interesting parts and to have the full narrative presented here is very convenient for those interested in the Dunedain.
Brian Sibley has managed compile Numenor’s timeline with material taken from other Tolkien books as he lists in his notes, including from Unfinished Tales, a book at the time of this review have yet to go through properly. A compelling story of a Paradise that falls to ruin.
It is mostly narrative based though not to the same extent as The Children of Hurin, it as said before does have commentary which enables us to get an insight into JRR Tolkien work and that of Christopher Tolkien’s own contributions and Samuel West (whom I’m aware of due to the BBC Voyager of the Dawn Treader serial) is an excellent narrator.
This book is definitely worth the purchase for Tolkien enthusiasts and I think even the casual reader despite not caring for the notes maybe in for a treat.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- david Reynolds
- 10-01-23
very good, set out and delivered beautifully
it's very good, set out and delivered so as to be easily consumed, thank you
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- Trevor Quigley
- 27-06-23
Delightful listen!!!
This was a thrilling insight to the fall of Numenor and provided wonderful info the decline in knowledge and grace of andor! Rich, detailed and deeply fulfilling!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Duncan G Sparrow
- 11-11-22
Fantastic
Thank you to all who put this book together I’m relieved surprised enthralled and captivated by the wonderful world of a great man. If only a Television series could’ve taken note.
Thank you
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10 people found this helpful