---
title: Five Early Stories of The Lord of the Rings
description: A literary classic's first years in print can be tumultuous, and J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is no exception.
image: https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hubfs/FOTR_original_cover.jpg
---

us toll free:[1-800-948-5563](tel:18009485563)   international: [+1 (843) 849-0283](tel:+18438490283)   UK: [+44 (0) 1334 260018](tel:+4401334260018)

[Wish List](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/wish-list.php) | [My Account](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/myaccount.php) | [Shopping Cart](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/cart.php)

[![Books Tell You Why](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/file-24000257-png/images/logo.png "Books Tell You Why")](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com)

![ilab](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-294270925.png) ![abaa](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-293390527.png)

- [Rare Books](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/rare-books) 
    - [Browse Rare Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/browse-rare-books.php)
    - [Search Rare Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php?search=rarebooks)
- [Signed Books](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/signed-books) 
    - [Browse Signed Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/browse-signed-books.php)
    - [Search Signed Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php?signed=on)
- [First Editions](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/first-editions) 
    - [Browse First Editions](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/browse-first-editions.php)
    - [Search First Editions](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php?firstEd=on)
- [Legendary Authors](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/legendary_authors.php) 
    - [Saul Bellow](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=976)
    - [Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1285)
    - [Charles Dickens](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=946)
    - [Umberto Eco](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=942)
    - [Ian Fleming](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=947)
    - [Gabriel García Márquez](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1320)
    - [Ernest Hemingway](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=948)
    - [Rudyard Kipling](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=936&action=browse)
    - [Doris Lessing](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1031)
    - [Arthur Miller](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=980)
    - [V.S Naipaul](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1042)
    - [Harold Pinter](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1033)
    - [Philip Pullman](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=940)
    - [Philip Roth](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=959)
    - [John Steinbeck](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=945)
    - [J. R. R Tolkien](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=944)
    - [Mark Twain](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=943)
    - [John Updike](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=983)
    - [Elie Wiesel](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=984)
- [Gift Ideas](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/gift_ideas.php) 
    - [Business Partner](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=844)
    - [Christmas](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=941)
    - [Father's Day](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=837)
    - [Halloween](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=859)
    - [Mother's Day](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=848)
    - [Valentine's Day](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=975)
- [Book Search](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php)

# <https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com>[blogis librorum. A blog about books. Rare books.](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com)

[![Did you know? Check our Rare Books Page](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/4f5afc0e-4fe1-46f6-bebb-f93fe6f22263.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/4f5afc0e-4fe1-46f6-bebb-f93fe6f22263)

## [Five Early Stories of The Lord of the Rings](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/five-early-stories-of-the-lord-of-the-rings)

By [Katie Behrens](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/author/katie-behrens).  Jul 29, 2015. 9:00 AM.

Topics: [Book History](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-history), [J. R. R. Tolkien](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/j-r-r-tolkien)

As literature endures down through the generations, the details surrounding a book’s birth into the reading world are often forgotten. Even with the immense popularity of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work today, some of these details remain buried in letters and essays. Here are five such interesting tidbits about the early years of *The Lord of the Rings* that you might not know.

[![JRR_Tolkien_Young](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-436111791.jpg?width=236&name=file-436111791.jpg)](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=944&action=browse&orderBy=)1.)  Although [*The Lord of the Rings*](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/jrr-tolkiens-epic-quest-writing-the-lord-of-the-rings) is now considered one of the most-loved books in the world, [Tolkien’s work](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=944&action=browse&orderBy=) thoroughly split the professional critics. Some marveled at its scope and depth; others found it utterly lacking in relatability. Chief among the negative critics was Edmund Wilson, who penned a hilariously-titled opinion piece, “Oo, Those Awful Orcs!” in 1956. Wilson mainly objected to the puffed-up reputation enjoyed by the books among literary circles, insisting that any adult who enjoys them must have “a lifelong appetite for juvenile trash.”

2.)  Houghton Mifflin Company of Boston brought the [first American editions](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/resources-for-identifying-first-editions) of the three volumes out just months after the UK releases, but ten years later in 1965, [Ace Books](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/book-collecting-basics-pirated-editions) took advantage of a copyright loophole and printed 150,000 unauthorized paperback copies of each volume. Originally, Houghton Mifflin had imported the sheets from Britain to bind in the US, and they still read “Printed in Great Britain.” This meant that the text was technically in the public domain for Americans. Ace Books was taken to task by Tolkien and his publishers; they agreed to stop printing the book and to pay royalties. Thankfully, Tolkien had already been working on a new edition of *The Lord of the Rings*, which allowed him to reassert his copyright.

[![FOTR_original_cover](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FOTR_original_cover.jpg?width=238&name=FOTR_original_cover.jpg)](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=944&action=browse&orderBy=)3.)  That 1965 authorized paperback edition was published by Ballentine Books. All three volumes bore the statement, “This paperback edition, and no other, has been published with my consent and cooperation. Those who approve of courtesy (at least) to living authors will purchase it, and no other.” The cover design did not, however, meet with Tolkien’s prior consent. A gnarled tree with large, pink bulbs takes up the foreground, with various animals like a lion, a frog, a salamander, and emu-like birds populating the background of a village (not unlike Hobbiton) and a waterfall. When [Tolkien](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=944&action=browse&orderBy=) spoke to a woman at Ballentine about the horrendous cover, she replied, “But the man hadn’t TIME to read the book,” and stated that the pink bulbs were “meant to suggest a Christmas tree.”

4.)  Sales of [Tolkien’s books](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=944&action=browse&orderBy=) kept up steadily in the UK through the 1960s but skyrocketed in the US. College and university students couldn’t get enough of Frodo, Gandalf, and Gollum. Much to [Tolkien’s](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/jrr-tolkien-inkling-and-hobbit) chagrin, his most devoted readers were often pot-smoking hippies who called his home in Oxford in the middle of the night, forgetting the time difference. While he didn’t seem to mind attracting this audience, he remained firm that his work had greater significance.

5.)  Despite Tolkien’s constant confirmation that *The Lord of the Rings* was *not* a work of allegory, readers went ahead and speculated anyway. A popular belief, which now seems dated and misguided, held that Mordor stood in for the [Soviet Union](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/soviet-resistance-literature) and the One Ring was a nuclear fission bomb. Future generations can be grateful that that particular reading has fallen out of favor.

[![Browse J.R.R. Tolkien Books](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/70b6230b-cccf-4350-bdeb-b1366771beba.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/70b6230b-cccf-4350-bdeb-b1366771beba)

 

![](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-987936873.jpg?width=80&name=file-987936873.jpg) 

[Katie Behrens](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/author/katie-behrens)

Avid consumer of books, media, and general nerdery. Ready to dig deep into a story and match the right books with the right readers.

 

Please enable JavaScript to view the [comments powered by Disqus.](http://disqus.com/?ref_noscript) [comments powered by Disqus](http://disqus.com)

 

|  |
| --- |

This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached.

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

### About this blog

 How can I identify a first edition? Where do I learn about caring for books? How should I start collecting? Hear from librarians about amazing collections, learn about historic bindings or printing techniques, get to know other collectors. Whether you are just starting or looking for expert advice, chances are, you'll find something of interest on blogis librorum.

### Get blog notifications per email:

[![Download the James Bond Dossier ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/639676e5-ddf3-45f7-be51-d4bcbf6fa6b8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/639676e5-ddf3-45f7-be51-d4bcbf6fa6b8)

### Recent Posts

[![Book Glossary](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/edd00eb4-b601-4ee2-b639-b62ddf28ed93.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/edd00eb4-b601-4ee2-b639-b62ddf28ed93)

### Posts by Topic

- [American History (123)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/american-history)
- [American Literature (259)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/american-literature)
- [Art (11)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/art)
- [Awarded Books (118)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/awarded-books)
- [Baseball (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/baseball)
- [Biographies (47)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/biographies)
- [Bond Dossier (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/bond-dossier)
- [Book Care (34)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-care)
- [Book Collecting (419)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-collecting)
- [Book History (84)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-history)
- [Book Making (42)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-making)
- [Book News (85)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-news)
- [Books collecting (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/books-collecting)
- [Caldecott Medal (84)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/caldecott-medal)
- [Charles Dickens (19)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/charles-dickens)
- [Children's Books (282)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/childrens-books)
- [Christmas Books (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/christmas-books)
- [Civil War (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/civil-war)
- [Collecting guide (10)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/collecting-guide)
- [collectors (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/collectors)
- [Condition (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/condition)
- [Drama (41)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/drama)
- [Dust Jackets (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/dust-jackets)
- [Fine Press (54)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/fine-press)
- [First Editions (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/first-editions)
- [Fishing (12)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/fishing)
- [Food (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/food)
- [History (154)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/history)
- [Horror (43)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/horror)
- [illustrations (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/illustrations)
- [Interviews (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/interviews)
- [J. R. R. Tolkien (24)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/j-r-r-tolkien)
- [James Bond (62)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/james-bond)
- [Learn About Books (38)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/learn-about-books)
- [Legendary Authors (399)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/legendary-authors)
- [Legendary Illustrators (59)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/legendary-illustrators)
- [Libraries (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/libraries)
- [Libraries & Special Collections (73)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/libraries-special-collections)
- [Literary travel (86)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/literary-travel)
- [Literature (480)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/literature)
- [Magical Realism (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/magical-realism)
- [Mario Vargas Llosa (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/mario-vargas-llosa)
- [Mark Twain (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/mark-twain)
- [Modern First Editions (81)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/modern-first-editions)
- [Movie Tie-Ins (148)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/movie-tie-ins)
- [Music (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/music)
- [Mystery, Suspense & Crime (49)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/mystery-suspense-crime)
- [Newbery Award (39)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/newbery-award)
- [Nobel Prize Winners (197)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/nobel-prize-winners)
- [Poetry (149)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/poetry)
- [Pulitzer Prize (67)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/pulitzer-prize)
- [Quizzes (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/quizzes)
- [Rare Book Gift Ideas (48)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/rare-book-gift-ideas)
- [Rare Books (179)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/rare-books)
- [Science (37)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/science)
- [Science Fiction (51)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/science-fiction)
- [Thomas Harris (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/thomas-harris)
- [travel guides (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/travel-guides)
- [Umberto Eco (14)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/umberto-eco)

[![Get your free Guide to Book Care ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/73b09407-0389-43d3-8221-0b8358f11602.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/73b09407-0389-43d3-8221-0b8358f11602)

### Blog Archive

- [July 2024 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/07)
- [June 2024 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/06)
- [May 2024 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/05)
- [April 2024 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/04)
- [March 2024 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/03)
- [February 2024 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/02)
- [January 2024 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/01)
- [December 2023 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/12)
- [November 2023 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/11)
- [October 2023 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/10)
- [September 2023 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/09)
- [August 2023 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/08)
- [July 2023 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/07)
- [June 2023 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/06)
- [May 2023 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/05)
- [April 2023 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/04)
- [March 2023 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/03)
- [February 2023 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/02)
- [January 2023 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/01)
- [December 2022 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/12)
- [November 2022 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/11)
- [September 2022 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/09)
- [June 2022 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/06)
- [March 2022 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/03)
- [February 2022 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/02)
- [January 2022 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/01)
- [October 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/10)
- [September 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/09)
- [July 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/07)
- [May 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/05)
- [April 2021 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/04)
- [March 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/03)
- [February 2021 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/02)
- [January 2021 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/01)
- [December 2020 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/12)
- [November 2020 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/11)
- [October 2020 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/10)
- [September 2020 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/09)
- [August 2020 (10)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/08)
- [July 2020 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/07)
- [June 2020 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/06)
- [May 2020 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/05)
- [April 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/04)
- [March 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/03)
- [February 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/02)
- [January 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/01)
- [December 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/12)
- [November 2019 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/11)
- [October 2019 (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/10)
- [September 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/09)
- [August 2019 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/08)
- [July 2019 (20)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/07)
- [June 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/06)
- [May 2019 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/05)
- [April 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/04)
- [March 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/03)
- [February 2019 (14)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/02)
- [January 2019 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/01)
- [December 2018 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/12)
- [November 2018 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/11)
- [October 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/10)
- [September 2018 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/09)
- [August 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/08)
- [July 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/07)
- [June 2018 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/06)
- [May 2018 (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/05)
- [April 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/04)
- [March 2018 (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/03)
- [February 2018 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/02)
- [January 2018 (14)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/01)
- [December 2017 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/12)
- [November 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/11)
- [October 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/10)
- [September 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/09)
- [August 2017 (20)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/08)
- [July 2017 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/07)
- [June 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/06)
- [May 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/05)
- [April 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/04)
- [March 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/03)
- [February 2017 (20)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/02)
- [January 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/01)
- [December 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/12)
- [November 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/11)
- [October 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/10)
- [September 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/09)
- [August 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/08)
- [July 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/07)
- [June 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/06)
- [May 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/05)
- [April 2016 (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/04)
- [March 2016 (32)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/03)
- [February 2016 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/02)
- [January 2016 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/01)
- [December 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/12)
- [November 2015 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/11)
- [October 2015 (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/10)
- [September 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/09)
- [August 2015 (31)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/08)
- [July 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/07)
- [June 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/06)
- [May 2015 (32)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/05)
- [April 2015 (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/04)
- [March 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/03)
- [February 2015 (25)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/02)
- [January 2015 (31)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/01)
- [December 2014 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/12)
- [November 2014 (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/11)
- [October 2014 (28)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/10)
- [September 2014 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/09)
- [August 2014 (25)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/08)
- [July 2014 (24)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/07)
- [June 2014 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/06)
- [May 2014 (25)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/05)
- [April 2014 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/04)
- [March 2014 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/03)
- [February 2014 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/02)
- [January 2014 (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/01)
- [December 2013 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/12)
- [November 2013 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/11)
- [October 2013 (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/10)
- [September 2013 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/09)
- [August 2013 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/08)
- [July 2013 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/07)
- [June 2013 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/06)
- [May 2013 (13)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/05)
- [April 2013 (10)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/04)
- [March 2013 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/03)
- [February 2013 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/02)
- [January 2013 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/01)
- [December 2012 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/12)
- [November 2012 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/11)
- [October 2012 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/10)
- [September 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/09)
- [August 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/08)
- [July 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/07)
- [June 2012 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/06)
- [May 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/05)
- [April 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/04)
- [March 2012 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/03)
- [February 2012 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/02)
- [January 2012 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/01)
- [December 2011 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/12)
- [November 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/11)
- [October 2011 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/10)
- [August 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/08)
- [July 2011 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/07)
- [June 2011 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/06)
- [May 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/05)
- [April 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/04)
- [March 2011 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/03)
- [October 2010 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/10)
- [September 2010 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/09)
- [June 2010 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/06)
- [May 2010 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/05)
- [April 2010 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/04)
- [March 2010 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/03)
- [February 2010 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/02)
- [January 2010 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/01)

> see older posts

[![A Guide to Historic Libraries Part I](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/4a376006-1872-4939-a6e6-bf7cd379d53e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/4a376006-1872-4939-a6e6-bf7cd379d53e)

- [Rare Books](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/rare-books)
- [Signed Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/signed-books.php)
- [First Editions](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/first-edition-books.php)
- [New Arrivals](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/new-arrivals.php)
- [Featured Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/featured.php)
- [Key Categories](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/categories.php)
- [Advanced Search](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php)
- [Job Opportunities](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/job-opportunities)

- [Our Story](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/our_story.php)
- [Contact Us](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/contact.php)
- [Events](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/events.php)
- [Selling Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/selling_books.php)
- [Autographs & Signatures](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/autographs_signatures.php)
- [Collector's Resources](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/collector_resources.php)
- [Glossary](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/glossary.php)

- [Our Blog](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com)
- [Shopping Cart](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/cart.php)
- [My Account](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/myaccount.php)
- [Create an Account](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/createAccount.php)
- [Store Policies](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/policies.php)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/privacy.php)
- [Loyalty and Rewards](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/loyalty.php)
- [Scholarships](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/rare-book-school-scholarship-information)

- Phone: [+1 (843) 849-0283](tel:+1%20(843)%20849-0283)
- [Books@BooksTellYouWhy.com](mailto:books@bookstellyouwhy.com)

- © 2008 -  Books Tell You Why, Inc. All rights reserved. | [Site by Bibliopolis](http://www.bibliopolis.com)
- [Content Marketing](https://aspiration.marketing/topics/content-marketing) by [Aspiration Marketing](http://www.aspiration.marketing)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Katie Behrens",
    "url" : "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/author/katie-behrens"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2015-07-29T13:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Five Early Stories of The Lord of the Rings",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hubfs/FOTR_original_cover.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/five-early-stories-of-the-lord-of-the-rings",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-1623254079.jpg"
    },
    "name" : "Aspiration Marketing Canada, Inc."
  }
}
```