The opening novel of The Lord of the Rings—the greatest fantasy epic of all time—which continues in The Two Towers and The Return of the King. Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read The dark, fearsome Ringwraiths are searching for a Hobbit. Frodo Baggins knows that they are seeking him and the Ring he bears—the Ring of Power that will enable evil Sauron to destroy all that is good in Middle-earth. Now it is up to Frodo and his faithful servant, Sam, with a small band of companions, to carry the Ring to the one place it can be destroyed: Mount Doom, in the very center of Sauron’s realm.
The Lord of the Rings Series
An epic fantasy series that follows the journey of Frodo and his companions as they seek to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth. The story is filled with adventure, friendship, and the battle between good and evil.
Recommended Reading Order
The Lord of the Rings. Two Towers
- 352 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Begin your journey into Middle-earth. A New Legend Begins on Prime Video, in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
THE GREATEST FANTASY EPIC OF OUR TIME While the evil might of the Dark Lord Sauron swarmed out to conquer all Middle-earth, Frodo and Sam struggled deep into Mordor, seat of Sauron's power. To defeat the Dark Lord, the accursed Ring of Power had to be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. But the way was impossibly hard, and Frodo was weakening. Weighed down by the compulsion of the Ring he began finally to despair. The awesome conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, beloved by millions of readers around the world.
Related books
The first complete book by Tolkien in three decades, this book, edited by Tolkien's son Christopher, reunites fans of the Lord of the Rings trilogy with Elves and Men, dragons and Dwarves. Includes eight paintings and 25 pencil drawings by Lee.
Unfinished tales of Númenor and Middle-earth
- 512 pages
- 18 hours of reading
An extraordinary discovery is waiting for you on these pages. Mythic lore and forgotten legends unearthed by Christopher Tolkien from his father's archives unveil never-before-told stories of the three ages of ancient Middle-earth. THE FIRST AGE Young lord Turin fled from Morgoth’s forces, wandering in disguise as an outlaw until he could avenge his people against the evil that had razed his home. But Turin lived under the curse of a hateful dragon—and the lord’s secret identity hid more than he knew. THE SECOND AGE Prince Aldarion’s heart belonged to Erendis, but his passion lay with the ocean, and the great ships that sailed beyond the sight of the land. But no man could serve two mistresses—and no mortal’s love could withstand the lure of the sea. THE THIRD AGE The great warrior Isildur escaped with the One Ring, cut from the Dark Lord Sauron’s hand, to hide it from Evil’s grasp. But Isildur would learn the burden of a ringbearer—and of its temptation and despair.
Film tie-in edition of the bestselling classic work of fantasy of Bilbo Baggins' adventures in Middle-earth, featuring the complete story as shown in the film trilogy, with a striking cover image from Peter Jackson's film adaptation and drawings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The Fall of Numenor
- 336 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Guided by the Dark Lord Sauron, the Elves of Eregion forge the Rings of Power. Yet in secret he has begun building the Barad-dûr in Mordor, and here, in the fires of Mount Doom, he makes the One Ring. Seeking to rule Middle-earth, Sauron begins to wage terrible war upon them.On the island-kingdom of Númenor, the Men of the West become mighty, building great ships to increase their influence throughout Middle-earth. But as their power grows, the seed of their downfall is sown. Only by uniting in alliance with the Elves can they hope to overcome Sauron.
Tales from the Perilous Realm
- 432 pages
- 16 hours of reading
This is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of The Hobbit, fully corrected and reset for this edition and all beautifully illustrated in pencil by the award-winning artist, Alan Lee.
The Silmarillion
- 365 pages
- 13 hours of reading
A number-one New York Times bestseller upon its release, this work is the heart of J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginative writing, with origins predating THE HOBBIT. Tolkien regarded it as his most significant achievement, and although published posthumously, it lays the groundwork for his other writings. It narrates the creation of the world and the events of the First Age, providing a backdrop for characters in THE LORD OF THE RINGS, such as Elrond and Galadriel, who participated in these ancient events. Central to the tale are the three Silmarils, jewels crafted by the gifted Elf Feanor, which contained the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor before their destruction by Morgoth, the first Dark Lord. Following this, the pure Light of Valinor was preserved only in the Silmarils, which Morgoth seized and placed in his crown, hidden within the fortress of Angband in northern Middle-earth. The narrative explores Feanor's rebellion against the gods, his kin's exile from Valinor, their return to Middle-earth, and their desperate, heroic struggle against the great Enemy. This second edition includes a letter from Tolkien detailing his intentions for the book, offering insight into his vision of the earlier Ages of Middle-earth.
The Fall of Gondolin
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
In the Tale of The Fall of Gondolin are two of the greatest powers in the world. There is Morgoth of the uttermost evil, unseen in this story but ruling over a vast military power from his fortress of Angband. Deeply opposed to Morgoth is Ulmo, second in might only to Manwë, chief of the Valar.
Before The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the earliest myths and legends of Middle-earth and Valinor were laid down in The Book of Lost Tales, written by J.R.R. Tolkien between 1916 and 1920, and compiled by Christopher Tolkien for publication in 1983. The Book of Lost Tales stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle-earth and Valinor, for the Tales were the first form of the myths and legends that came to be called The Silmarillion. Embedded in English legend, they are set in the narrative frame of a great westward voyage over the Ocean by a mariner named Eriol to the lonely Isle where the Elves dwelt; from them he learned their true history, the Lost Tales of Elfinesse. In the Tales are found the earliest accounts of Gods and Elves, Dwarves, Balrogs and Orcs; of the Silmarils and the Two Trees of Valinor; of the geography and cosmology of Tolkien's invented world. This first volume in Christopher Tolkien's epic History of Middle-earth series is the perfect gateway for anyone wanting to tread deeper into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's world and discover the evolution of the Middle-earth stories.
Beren and Lúthien
- 288 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Painstakingly restored from Tolkien's manuscripts, this epic tale presents the story of Beren and Lúthien as a continuous and standalone narrative, reuniting fans with the rich landscape of Middle-earth, populated by Elves, Men, Dwarves, and Orcs. This tale is essential to the evolution of The Silmarillion, reflecting the myths and legends of the First Age conceived by J.R.R. Tolkien. Written after his return from the battle of the Somme in 1916, the story centers on the love between Beren, a mortal man, and Lúthien, an immortal Elf. Their love is shadowed by the opposition of Lúthien's father, a powerful Elvish lord, who imposes an impossible task on Beren before he can wed her. This sets the stage for their heroic quest to confront Morgoth, the greatest evil being, in an attempt to steal a Silmaril. Christopher Tolkien endeavors to extract this story from its larger context, illustrating its evolution through various forms, including prose and verse from later texts. By presenting these elements together for the first time, he reveals aspects of the narrative that were lost over time, showcasing the development of this legendary tale within Middle-earth.
