Book description
Continuing the story begun in The Hobbit, this is the first part of
Tolkien's epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, featuring the
definitive text and a detailed map of Middle-earth.
Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power - the
means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his
plans for dominion is the One Ring - the ring that rules them all -
which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins.
In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself
faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the
Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey
across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and
foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.
J. R.R. Tolkien's great work of imaginative fiction has been labelled
both a heroic romance and a classic fantasy fiction. By turns comic and
homely, epic and diabolic, the narrative moves through countless changes
of scene and character in an imaginary world which is totally convincing
in its detail. 'The English-speaking world is divided into those who
have read The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and those who are going
to read them.' Sunday Times
'A story magnificently told, with every kind of colour and movement and
greatness.' New Statesman
'Masterpiece? Oh yes, I've no doubt about that.' Evening Standard J.
R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best
known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion
and The Children of Hurin, plus other stories and essays. His books have
been translated into over 50 languages and have sold many millions of
copies worldwide.
