Although I found some other parts of the journey fascinating, the most exhausting and gut-wrenching leg of it is my favourite. When two hobbits were crawling up Mount Doom, forced to leave more and more behind – Sam’s beloved kitchen gear and remnants of hope that they can succeed – my lips felt parched and my heart hollow. I guess, for many it might not be the most exciting part of the book, but for me, reading it felt like I’ve made that impossible climb myself. This special 50th anniversary edition includes three volumes of The Lord of the Rings ( The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King), along with an extensive new index—a must-own tome for old and new Tolkien readers alike . Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy and epic adventure has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Over 100 million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors’ editions become prized and valuable items of publishing. Still, some books prove their worth with their undiminishing popularity among people who are born after the artist’s death. From this point of view, I think it’s rather safe to say that “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien is a true masterpiece.

I don’t see any practical use in retelling the plot of the book read by millions. So, I’ll just share some thoughts and impressions I was left with after I finished reading.

I have not sat and read the novel (NOT "trilogy", which is a different thing) through, but this is the flaw which stands out most to me at this point. The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the Wizard; the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam; Gimli the Dwarf; Legolas the Elf; Boromir of Gondor; and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider. Sumptuous slipcased edition of Tolkien’s classic epic tale of adventure, fully illustrated in colour for the first time by the author himself. Limited to a worldwide first printing of just 6,000 copies* This deluxe volume is quarterbound in leather and includes many special features unique to this edition. For the first time ever, a very special edition of the classic masterpiece, with the complete text and illustrated throughout by the author himself. Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy and epic adventure has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Over 150 million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors’ editions become prized and valuable items of publishing.

This new edition includes the fiftieth-anniversary fully corrected text setting and, for the first time, an extensive new index. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind themSince it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy and epic adventure has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Over 100 million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors' editions become prized and valuable items of publishing. In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell by chance into the hands of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. First thing is, it's smaller than expected. This means, of course, that the illustrations are smaller than I would like, particularly given the amount of detail Tolkien puts into many of them. The quality of their reproduction makes up for it to some extent. Crisp and clear, colours good.