In this final book of The History of Middle Earth a LOT is covered. Tolkien explains how the Hobbit characters each got their names, what their calendar, genealogies and history were. He did the same thing for dwarfs as well, adding interesting bits of information such as revealing that Thorin's descendants carried the last known drawfven ring forged by Sauron. But it never corrupted them because most Dwarfs never cared for the "sub-par" quality of the rings in the first place and had no need of them. This is also said to have made Sauron furious.
Speaking of Sauron HIS history is covered in detail as well which makes you think why they didn't put that part in "Sauron Defeated"
Another great part of the book is they give you an entire timeline for the 3rd age of middle-earth. REALLY good stuff!
You find out the hidden history of the 5 wizards to enter middle-earth. Sauraman and Gandolph being the most well known out of the bunch, with Radagast a distant third and then 2 blue wizards who not much is known about, only that they departed for away on another mission and were never heard from again.
You also get a chapter from the SEQUEL Tolkien had thought about for Lord of the Rings. Basically the chapter focuses on two soldiers from Gondor talking about the "old days" of the War of the Ring and how there's hardly anyone left alive who remembers the battle. It's not much but you also wonder why this wasn't included in "Unfinished Tales" too.
Besides all that it was a pretty good novel to end the series with.
So overall, is it worth it? For the ie hard Tolkien fan, yes. To test if you'd enjoy it or not I suggest you first read the Silmarillian and Unfinished Tales books first. If you loved them, then go ahead and give these a try.
If you thought they were sub-par.....try reading something else, this series isn't for you.
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