The most comprehensive in-depth companion to Tolkien's life and works ever published, including synopses of all his writings, and a Tolkien gazetteer, who's who and chronology. Conceived as the ultimate Tolkien guide, this second volume of the J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide, perfectly complements the first in both style and substance. Unparalleled as a central work for readers and students of Tolkien, the two volumes fulfil different functions. Whereas volume one included brief but comprehensive introductions and notes on a wide range of topics, the second volume is the ultimate 'one-stop' reference text detailing the parallel chronologies of Tolkien's personal and academic life, and of his writings. The book draws it's information from a wide variety of reliable contemporary sources including biographies, Tolkien's letters, The Tolkien Family Album, correspondence with Allen & Unwin, C. S Lewis letters and the diaries of W.H. Lewis. Using these materials the book details, with tremendous accuracy, every aspect of Tolkien's life from births and deaths and moves of house to matters associated with Oxford University: Tolkien's visit to Rotterdam, his BBC broadcasts and significant Inkling meetings are all recorded and examined. In addition to this chronology there is a parallel table of what Tolkien was writing during the periods mentioned. This is especially beneficial for illuminating the 'multiple layers' within the Silmarillion. Providing an essential anchor this detailed chronology discusses important biographical and literary matters in easy to navigate sections, making it truly indispensable to anyone wishing to know more about J. R. R. Tolkien: the Author of The Century.

Wayne G. Hammond is a librarian at the Chapin Library of Rare Books at Williams College, Massachusetts. He is the author of 'The Graphic Art of C.B. Falls' (1892), 'J.R.R. Tolkien: A Descriptive Bibliography' (1993), and regular notes on Tolkien in the journal 'Mythlore'. Christina Scull is the former librarian of Sir John Soane's Museum, London. She is the author of 'The Soane Hogarths' (1991), edits the journal 'The Tolkien Collector', and frequently writes and speaks about Tolkien.