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The History of Middle-Earth Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of The History of Middle-Earth books in publication order. This is generally the recommended reading order for the series.
Reading order verified: April 2026
Quick Answer
What order should I read the The History of Middle-Earth series? Start with "The Book of Lost Tales, Part One" (1983) and follow publication order through all 12 books.
The complete The History of Middle-Earth reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
The Book of Lost Tales, Part One
1983
The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two
1983
The Lays of Beleriand
1985
The Shaping of Middle-earth
1986
The Lost Road and Other Writings
1987
The War of the Jewels
1994
The History of Middle Earth Index
2002
The Great Tales of Middle-Earth
2018
The Return of the Shadow
1988
The Treason of Isengard
1989
The War of the Ring
1990
Sauron Defeated
1992
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