Cover design for the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings by TolkienDust jacket of the 1968 UK editionRalph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings

Discover great deals on the many hard to find and one of a kind items available only on ebay!


This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy saga by British author J. R. R. Tolkien, his magnum opus and a sequel to his well-received earlier work, The Hobbit. The Lord of the Rings was originally published in three volumes in 1954 and 1955. more...

HomeHome
ComicsComics
ComputersComputers
ElectronicsElectronics
MoviesMovies
Almost FamousAlmost Famous
AmelieAmelie
American BeautyAmerican Beauty
American History XAmerican History X
American PsychoAmerican Psycho
American SplendorAmerican Splendor
An American Werewolf in...An American Werewolf in...
AntzAntz
Austin PowersAustin Powers
BASEKetballBASEKetball
Battlefield EarthBattlefield Earth
Being John MalkovichBeing John Malkovich
Better Off DeadBetter Off Dead
Charlie and the Chocolate...Charlie and the Chocolate...
Chicken RunChicken Run
Chronicles of NarniaChronicles of Narnia
Close Encounters of the...Close Encounters of the...
Corpse BrideCorpse Bride
Da Vinci CodeDa Vinci Code
Dark CityDark City
ElizabethtownElizabethtown
Eternal Sunshine of the...Eternal Sunshine of the...
Evil DeadEvil Dead
Eyes Wide ShutEyes Wide Shut
Fight ClubFight Club
Finding NemoFinding Nemo
Freddy vs JasonFreddy vs Jason
Galaxy QuestGalaxy Quest
GattacaGattaca
GhostbustersGhostbusters
GirlfightGirlfight
GladiatorGladiator
Gods and MonstersGods and Monsters
GodzillaGodzilla
Good Will HuntingGood Will Hunting
Harry PotterHarry Potter
HighlanderHighlander
How the Grinch Stole...How the Grinch Stole...
Jackie BrownJackie Brown
Jurassic ParkJurassic Park
Kill BillKill Bill
King KongKing Kong
Lost in TranslationLost in Translation
Mars AttacksMars Attacks
Matchstick MenMatchstick Men
MementoMemento
Men In BlackMen In Black
Minority ReportMinority Report
Moulin RougeMoulin Rouge
MunichMunich
Mystery MenMystery Men
Night of the Living DeadNight of the Living Dead
NobelityNobelity
Pirates of the CaribbeanPirates of the Caribbean
Pitch BlackPitch Black
Planet of the ApesPlanet of the Apes
PleasantvillePleasantville
Polar ExpressPolar Express
PsychoPsycho
Raiders of the Lost ArkRaiders of the Lost Ark
Requiem for a DreamRequiem for a Dream
RockyRocky
Rocky Horror Picture ShowRocky Horror Picture Show
Run Lola RunRun Lola Run
Rush HourRush Hour
Saving Private RyanSaving Private Ryan
Saving SilvermanSaving Silverman
School of RockSchool of Rock
SerenitySerenity
Shakespeare In LoveShakespeare In Love
Shaolin SoccerShaolin Soccer
Shaun of the DeadShaun of the Dead
ShrekShrek
Sin CitySin City
Snakes on a PlaneSnakes on a Plane
Star WarsStar Wars
Taxi DriverTaxi Driver
TerminatorTerminator
Texas Chainsaw MassacreTexas Chainsaw Massacre
The Blair Witch ProjectThe Blair Witch Project
The Chronicles of RiddickThe Chronicles of Riddick
The DreamersThe Dreamers
The IncrediblesThe Incredibles
The Iron GiantThe Iron Giant
The Lord of the RingsThe Lord of the Rings
AragornAragorn
FrodoFrodo
The Lost WorldThe Lost World
The MatrixThe Matrix
The Passion of the ChristThe Passion of the Christ
The Sixth SenseThe Sixth Sense
The Talented Mr RipleyThe Talented Mr Ripley
There's Something About MaryThere's Something About Mary
Tomb RaiderTomb Raider
Toy StoryToy Story
TronTron
UnbreakableUnbreakable
Valley of the DollsValley of the Dolls
Van HelsingVan Helsing
Vanilla SkyVanilla Sky
Waking LifeWaking Life
Wallace and GromitWallace and Gromit
What Dreams May ComeWhat Dreams May Come
xXxxXx
Y Tu Mama TambienY Tu Mama Tambien
TelevisionTelevision
ToysToys
Video GamesVideo Games


Three film adaptations have been made of the story told by the books: the first, by animator Ralph Bakshi was released in 1978 (as part one of what was intended to be a two-part adaptation of the story); the second, a 1980 television special; and the third, director Peter Jackson's epic film trilogy, released in three installments in 2001, 2002, and 2003.

For more information regarding the fictional universe in which the story takes place, including lists of characters and locations, see Middle-earth (the name Tolkien bestowed upon his world).

The titular character of the Lord of the Rings is the Dark Lord Sauron, ruler of the land of Mordor. The arch-villain of the work, Sauron created the One Ring to control nineteen other Rings of Power, and was thus the "Lord of the Rings." Sauron, in turn, was the servant of an earlier Dark Lord, Morgoth (Melkor), who is prominent in Tolkien's The Silmarillion, an earlier history of Middle-Earth.

Books and volumes

Writing

Tolkien did not originally intend to write a sequel to The Hobbit, and instead wrote several other children's tales, including Roverandom and Farmer Giles of Ham. As his main work, Tolkien began to outline the history of Arda, telling tales of the Silmarils, and many other stories of how the races and situations that we read about in the Lord of the Rings trilogy came to be. Tolkien died before he could complete and put together The Silmarillion, but his son Christopher Tolkien edited his father's work, filled in gaps, and published it in 1977.

Tolkien had a deep desire to write a mythology for England, especially after his horrific experiences during the First World War. Thus to understand his writings we must be aware of how Tolkien the scholar influences Tolkien the author. His writing of this mythology emerges as an Oxford philologist well acquainted with Northern European Medieval Literature including the great mythic works such as the Hervarar saga, the Völsunga saga, the influential Beowulf as well as other Old Norse, Old and Middle English Texts. He was also inspired by non-Germanic works such as the Finnish epic Kalevala. A man who had created his first language by the age of seven, he was driven by a desire to write a mythology for England influenced by his exposure and expertise of these ancient traditions. The need for such a myth was often a topic of conversation in his meetings with the Inklings, fellow Oxford scholars who have been described as Christian Romantics, meeting weekly and discussing Icelandic myths and their own unpublished compositions. Tolkien agreed with one of the other members of the group, C.S. Lewis, that if there were no adequate myths for England then they would have to write their own. Tolkien's work has been commonly interpreted in this light.

Persuaded by his publishers, he started 'a new Hobbit' in December 1937. After several false starts, the story of the One Ring soon emerged, and the book mutated from being a sequel to the Hobbit, to being, in theme, more a sequel to the unpublished Silmarillion. The idea of the first chapter (A Long-Expected Party) arrived fully-formed, although the reasons behind Bilbo's disappearance, the significance of the Ring, and the title The Lord of the Rings did not arrive until the Spring of 1938. Originally, he planned to write another story in which Bilbo had used up all his treasure and was looking for another adventure to gain more; however, he remembered the ring and its powers and decided to write about it instead. He began with Bilbo as the main character but decided that the story was too serious to use the fun-loving Hobbit and so Tolkien looked to use a member of Bilbo's family. He thought about using Bilbo's son but this generated some difficult questions — Where was his wife? How could Bilbo let his son go into that kind of danger? — so he looked for an alternate character to carry the ring. In Greek legend, it was a hero's nephew that gained the item of power, and so into existence came the Hobbit Frodo.

Writing was slow due to Tolkien's perfectionism, and was frequently interrupted by his obligations as an examiner, and other academic duties. The first sentence of The Hobbit was in fact written on a blank page which a student had left on an exam paper which Tolkien was marking — "In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit". He seems to have abandoned the book during most of 1943 and only re-started it in April 1944. This effort was written as a serial for Christopher Tolkien and C.S. Lewis — the former would be sent copies of chapters as they were written while he was serving in Africa in the Royal Air Force. He made another push in 1946, and showed a copy of the manuscript to his publishers in 1947. The story was effectively finished the next year, but Tolkien did not finish revising earlier parts of the work until 1949.

A dispute with his publishers, Allen & Unwin, led to the book being offered to Collins in 1950. He intended The Silmarillion (itself largely unrevised at this point) to be published along with The Lord of the Rings, but A&U were unwilling to do this. After his contact at Collins, Milton Waldman, expressed the belief that The Lord of the Rings itself 'urgently needed cutting', he eventually demanded that they publish the book in 1952. They did not do so, and so Tolkien wrote to Allen and Unwin, saying "I would gladly consider the publication of any part of the stuff".

The Lord of the Rings is one of the very few books that is named after its villain, in contrast to a book generally being named after its hero, i.e. Anna Karenina, Oliver Twist, Harry Potter and numerous other works.

Publication

For publication, due largely to post-war paper shortages, but also to keep the price of the first volume down, the book was divided into three volumes (The Fellowship of the Ring: Books I and II; The Two Towers: Books III and IV; and The Return of the King: Books V and VI, 6 appendices). Delays in producing appendices and maps led to these being published later than originally hoped — on the 29 July and 11 November 1954 and 20 October 1955 in the United Kingdom, slightly later in the United States. The Return of the King was especially delayed. Tolkien did not, however, much like the title The Return of the King, believing it gave away too much of the storyline. He had originally suggested The War of the Ring which was dismissed by his publishers.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

Lord of the Rings Trilogy And Hobbit Trilogy 6Film Theatrical Version MoviesLord of the Rings Trilogy And Hobbit Trilogy 6Film Theatrical Version Movies $29.99 The Lord Of The Rings Collectors Ed Fellowship Of The Ring, Two Towers, ReturnThe Lord Of The Rings Collectors Ed Fellowship Of The Ring, Two Towers, Return $30.00
The Lord of the Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended & Theatrical)(4K/Uhd)The Lord of the Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended & Theatrical)(4K/Uhd) $47.99 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers  2-Disc Set Widescreen DvdThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers  2-Disc Set Widescreen Dvd $10.00
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy One Ring Limited Edition 4K Ultra Hd BoxsetThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy One Ring Limited Edition 4K Ultra Hd Boxset $129.95 The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Full *or WideScreen Edition DvdThe Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Full *or WideScreen Edition Dvd $7.49
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Dvd, 2001, 2-Disc Widescreen)The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Dvd, 2001, 2-Disc Widescreen) $5.95 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Widescreen Dvd) ~ New SealedThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Widescreen Dvd) ~ New Sealed $9.99
Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy Blu-ray Extended Edition 15-Disc SetLord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy Blu-ray Extended Edition 15-Disc Set $79.00 The Lord of the Rings Complete Trilogy Special Extended Edition Box Set AssortedThe Lord of the Rings Complete Trilogy Special Extended Edition Box Set Assorted $32.99
Lord Of The Rings Fellowship Of The Ring Dvd Gift Set "Sealed" See DescriptionLord Of The Rings Fellowship Of The Ring Dvd Gift Set "Sealed" See Description $130.00 New ListingLord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Dvd,12-Disc Set, Extended EditionNew ListingLord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Dvd,12-Disc Set, Extended Edition $49.99
Lord of the Rings-Two Towers (Dvd, 2002) Creating Gollum Missing Movie DvdsLord of the Rings-Two Towers (Dvd, 2002) Creating Gollum Missing Movie Dvds $11.00 New ListingThe Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Return of the King animated set (Dvd, 2007)New ListingThe Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Return of the King animated set (Dvd, 2007) $79.97
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Platinum Series Special Extended Dvd, Excellent!The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Platinum Series Special Extended Dvd, Excellent! $29.95 The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King Dvd 2004 Movie Case w/ Art BogoThe Lord of the Rings The Return of the King Dvd 2004 Movie Case w/ Art Bogo $7.35
Hobbit & Lord Of The Rings Middle-Earth Limited Collector's Edition Blu-ray.ReadHobbit & Lord Of The Rings Middle-Earth Limited Collector's Edition Blu-ray.Read $375.00 The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Blu-ray Disc, 6-Disc Set)The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Blu-ray Disc, 6-Disc Set) $15.00
New ListingThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Special Extended Dvd Edition) SealedNew ListingThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Special Extended Dvd Edition) Sealed $19.99 Funko Pop! Movies: The Lord Of The Rings - Frodo BagginsFunko Pop! Movies: The Lord Of The Rings - Frodo Baggins $15.95
The Lord of the Rings Original 1978 Blu-Ray Animated Classic Film New Movie UsaThe Lord of the Rings Original 1978 Blu-Ray Animated Classic Film New Movie Usa $21.93 The Return of the King Dvd New Sealed Animated 1979 Snapcase Lord of the RingsThe Return of the King Dvd New Sealed Animated 1979 Snapcase Lord of the Rings $29.89
Funko Pop Movies: The Lord of the Rings - Treebeard with Merry and Pippin 1579Funko Pop Movies: The Lord of the Rings - Treebeard with Merry and Pippin 1579 $47.95 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Extended Edition Blu-Ray Box Set Rare!The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Extended Edition Blu-Ray Box Set Rare! $42.48
The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Fullscreen Dvd) 3 MoviesThe Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Fullscreen Dvd) 3 Movies $22.50 The Lord of the Rings Theatrical Versions - Dvd W/Ultra Violet CopyThe Lord of the Rings Theatrical Versions - Dvd W/Ultra Violet Copy $5.49
New ListingThe Lord of The Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy: Extended Edition Blu Ray BoxNew ListingThe Lord of The Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy: Extended Edition Blu Ray Box $23.99 The Lord of the Rings:The Rings of Power Seasons 1-2 ( 6-disc ,Dvd ) NewThe Lord of the Rings:The Rings of Power Seasons 1-2 ( 6-disc ,Dvd ) New $21.99
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy ~ Lot of 3 Fullscreen Dvd Movies New SealedThe Lord Of The Rings Trilogy ~ Lot of 3 Fullscreen Dvd Movies New Sealed $12.00 Lord of the Rings Animated Deluxe Edition Dvd 1977 Original Tolkien 1978 MovieLord of the Rings Animated Deluxe Edition Dvd 1977 Original Tolkien 1978 Movie $10.99
The Lord of the Rings: 3-Film Collection (Blu-ray Disc, 2014, Theatrical VersionThe Lord of the Rings: 3-Film Collection (Blu-ray Disc, 2014, Theatrical Version $11.99 The Lord of the Rings: 3-Film Collection (3-Dvd, 2014, Theatrical Versions)The Lord of the Rings: 3-Film Collection (3-Dvd, 2014, Theatrical Versions) $6.99
The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim Amc Popcorn Bucket & Cup In HandThe Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim Amc Popcorn Bucket & Cup In Hand $79.99 New ListingLord of the Rings Trilogy - Special Extended Edition 12 Dvd Set Platinum SeriesNew ListingLord of the Rings Trilogy - Special Extended Edition 12 Dvd Set Platinum Series $40.00
The Lord of the Rings Theatrical Versions 3-Film Collection Dvd (3-Disc Set) NewThe Lord of the Rings Theatrical Versions 3-Film Collection Dvd (3-Disc Set) New $5.94 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Full Screen) - Very GoodThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Full Screen) - Very Good $5.98
New ListingThe Lord Of The Rings TrilogyNew ListingThe Lord Of The Rings Trilogy $15.00 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Dvd - Wide) *Disc Only*The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Dvd - Wide) *Disc Only* $1.50
The Lord Of the Rings Trilogy & The Hobbit Trilogy ( Dvd Complete Set Lot) NewThe Lord Of the Rings Trilogy & The Hobbit Trilogy ( Dvd Complete Set Lot) New $20.99 The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy Gift Set w/Ring (4K Uhd 2020)The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy Gift Set w/Ring (4K Uhd 2020) $174.99
The Lord of the Rings: 3-Film Collection (Dvd, 2014, 3-Disc Set, Theatrical)The Lord of the Rings: 3-Film Collection (Dvd, 2014, 3-Disc Set, Theatrical) $15.19 New ListingThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Blu-ray, 2003)New ListingThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Blu-ray, 2003) $8.56
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Dvd Set Unopened Long BoxThe Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Dvd Set Unopened Long Box $33.33 New ListingThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy Dvd Set Special Extended EditionNew ListingThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy Dvd Set Special Extended Edition $19.79
Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy(12-Disc Set) Special Edition!Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy(12-Disc Set) Special Edition! $79.99 The Lord of the Rings Theatrical Version: 3 Film Collection Dvd New/SealedThe Lord of the Rings Theatrical Version: 3 Film Collection Dvd New/Sealed $9.99
The Lord of the Rings: 1978 Animated Movie (Remastered Deluxe Edition)The Lord of the Rings: 1978 Animated Movie (Remastered Deluxe Edition) $21.52 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Dvd, Widescreen) - All three moviesThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Dvd, Widescreen) - All three movies $5.00
The Lord of the Rings 4K Uhd Trilogy Complete Steelbook Collection *New/Sealed*The Lord of the Rings 4K Uhd Trilogy Complete Steelbook Collection *New/Sealed* $264.00 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (4K Uhd) Theatrical & Extended FilmsThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy (4K Uhd) Theatrical & Extended Films $54.79
New ListingLord of The Rings all the 3 movies trilogy, Hebrew subtitles.New ListingLord of The Rings all the 3 movies trilogy, Hebrew subtitles. $79.99 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the DvdThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Dvd $4.20
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Special Extended Edition 12 Dvd Boxset MoviesThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy Special Extended Edition 12 Dvd Boxset Movies $29.99 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Dvd) Disc 1 Only No TrackingThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Dvd) Disc 1 Only No Tracking $1.95
New ListingThe Lord Of The Rings. Complete 3 Movie Set.New ListingThe Lord Of The Rings. Complete 3 Movie Set. $6.28 The Lord Of The Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy [Blu-ray] with SlipcoverThe Lord Of The Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy [Blu-ray] with Slipcover $23.24
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy One Ring Gift Box Special Edition 4K Region FreeThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy One Ring Gift Box Special Edition 4K Region Free $199.99 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Dvd Widescreen 2002 Brand New SealedThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Dvd Widescreen 2002 Brand New Sealed $7.22
The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring *Full Or Widescreen DvdThe Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring *Full Or Widescreen Dvd $7.49 The Lord Of The Rings Special Extended Edition Dvd Trilogy 3 Movie SetThe Lord Of The Rings Special Extended Edition Dvd Trilogy 3 Movie Set $33.97
The Lord of The Rings Trilogy Special Extended Edition Dvd Box SealedThe Lord of The Rings Trilogy Special Extended Edition Dvd Box Sealed $125.99 New ListingThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy Special Extended Edition 12-Dvd Box SetNew ListingThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy Special Extended Edition 12-Dvd Box Set $24.99
The Hobbit Trilogy & The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (Dvd) 6 Films Brand NewThe Hobbit Trilogy & The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (Dvd) 6 Films Brand New $17.00
Click to see more The Lord of the Rings items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 12/22/24 2:44am.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay