I've uploaded
an image of the contents list, in case Google Books mucks anyone else around. Some more intriguing ones:
-Parts of the 'Generational Schemes' are visible in the various previews, and include lists of precisely when the later generations of Quendi were born. I also saw a note that the first generation ("Seniors") refused to go on the Great March, which is fascinating. Looking forward to burrowing into the details.
-'Elvish Life-Cycles' might include some stuff about the mysterious second and third stages in which elves grow beards.
-'Beauty and Goodness' has the potential to be either really enlightening or really uncomfortable. Given the existence of Sauron, and of "looks foul but feels fair", I hope for the former.
-'Gender and Sex' is interesting, because even if it's Hostetter's wording, it implies a separation on Tolkien's part. Best guess is that he's talking about gender
roles - ie, more on 'women make lembas and tend to do healing'.
-'Descriptions of characters' is seven pages long! Could it be a note to an illustrator, like the notes for the Baynes map? Will Tolkien actually describe any characters, or just go on about how they 'feel'?
-'Mind-pictures'? Colour me intrigued.
-'The visible forms of the Valar and Maiar' could be a second descriptive piece, or could be philosophical musings on what their substance was.
-'Note on Elvish Economy': clearly all those early Gnomish words like 'lawyer' and 'slave' are about to become very important!
-'Dwellings in Middle-earth' could be locations, or types of houses.
-'The Founding of Nargothrond' I love because Nargothrond.
-'Of the Land and Beasts of Numenor' is 11 pages long! A substantial description.
-'Note on the Consumption of Mushrooms' is undoubtedly the most important piece in the entire book.
-'Galadriel and Celeborn' is ten pages which will undoubtedly just confuse things the more. I'm betting Galadriel is now Finwe's daughter who sailed to Middle-earth
and back before the Noldolante, and Celeborn is a Silvan elf from over the mountains who crossed them by himself to meet her because Fate.
-'Note on Dwarvish Voices' is only a page long, but, like... what could it
say? It's be hilarious if it was just "Memo: the dwarves
DO NOT sound like Disney's."
And I'm sure there'll be more once we actually get the book... only a month to go!
hS