J.R.R.Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing 'The Hobbit', 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Silmarillion', plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.
'Tolkien's invention of strange peoples, curious incidents, miraculous doings, is poured out in this second volume of his trilogy as exuberantly and convincingly in a dreamlike way, as ever. As the story goes on the world of the Ring grows more vast and mysterious and crowded with curious figures, horrible, delightful or comic. The story itself is superb.' The Observer 'Among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the twentieth century.' Sunday Telegraph