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PARMA ENDORION: Essays On Middle-earth The Hunting Party I Copyright © Anke Eissmann. Used by permission. Electronic Book Edition by Michael Martinez Edited by Matt Tinaglia Michael Martinez begins a comprehensive study of Tolkien’s imaginary history by “Browsing the Compleat Middle-earth Library”. His trademark conversational tone and style introduce Tolkien’s readers to new perspectives on Elves, Hobbits, Númenoreans, and other fantastic inhabitants of Middle-earth. Advising that “if you really want to see where it all came from…you first need to see what it all is”, Martinez explores Tolkien’s pseudo-history in detail, analyzing the motivations and values of Middle-earth’s civilizations as described by Tolkien himself. Extensive research on Tolkien’s Second Age, a mysterious era spanning thousands of years, illuminates the second “Fall” of Tolkien’s Elves, who made the dreadful Rings of Power, withheld vital knowledge from their allies, and exposed all of Middle-earth to Sauron’s evil. Finally, Martinez provides a wealth of insightful commentary, quoting Tolkien’s letters and his son Christopher’s extensive documentation, on those of Tolkien’s sources which are often missed by other researchers. You will never look at Middle-earth the same way again after reading Understanding Middle-earth. ISBN: 1-58776-145-9 Available through most booksellers Fall 2003 PUBLISHED BY VIVISPHERE www.vivishpere.com TABLE OF CONTENTS i. Copyright ................................................................................................................................ i ii. Introduction to the First Edition (1996) ................................................................................ iii Note on accuracy..........................................................................................................................................iii Stern Warning..............................................................................................................................................iii iii. Introduction to the Second Edition (1998) .............................................................................v iv. Introduction to the Third Edition (2001) .............................................................................. vii Chapter 1: The Geography of Arda.............................................................................................1 The Continents Of Arda ...................................................................................................................... 1 Aman (The Undying Lands) .......................................................................................................................... 2 Valinor ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 Eldamar.................................................................................................................................................... 3 Araman .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Avathar .................................................................................................................................................... 5 Elenna (Numenor)......................................................................................................................................... 5 The Mittalmar (Inlands)............................................................................................................................ 6 The Orrostar (Northeast lands) .................................................................................................................. 6 The Forostar (North lands).........................................