"An original and thought-provoking journey into J. R. R. Tolkien's world, revealing how his visionary creation of Middle-Earth is more relevant now than ever before. What is it about Middle-Earth and its inhabitants that has captured the imagination of millions of people around the world? And why does Tolkien's visionary creation continue to fascinate and inspire us eighty-five years after its first publication? Beginning with Tolkien's earliest influences--and...

Best known for his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien was born in British-occupied South Africa. His early life was full of action and adventure. Tolkien spent his childhood roaming the British countryside with his family and could read and write by age four. He was naturally gifted with languages and used this skill as a signals officers in World War II as well as in his fantasy writing. By creating alternate universes...

Frodo makes his way through the darkness to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. Aragon learns of his destiny as the true King and the others prepare for a massive battle that will determine the fate of Middle-Earth.

Introduce a new generation of readers to the man who wrote the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. This book takes young readers through the exciting life of the man who created amazing new worlds and helps kids discover how he could see them. Explore the personal experiences and subjects that inspired Tolkien's stories through hands-on activities, and learn how he influenced his contemporaries as well as later writers.

Explores the formative years of the renowned author's life as he finds friendship, courage, and inspiration among a fellow group of writers and artists at school. Their brotherhood strengthens as they grow up and weather love and loss together, including the author's tumultuous courtship of his beloved Edith Bratt, until the outbreak of the First World War which threatens to tear their fellowship apart. All of these experiences would later inspire...

Thorin Oakenshield and the dwarves of Erebor have reclaimed their homeland but now face the consequences of having unleashed the dragon Smaug upon Lake-town. Meanwhile, the Dark Lord Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs to attack the Lonely Mountain and Bilbo Baggins finds himself fighting for his life as five great armies go to war and Dwarves, Elves, and Men must decide to unite against Goblins and Orcs... or be destroyed.