The Lord of the Rings Collections and Critical Studies

1. The Lord of the Rings - Houghton Mifflin

by J.R.R. Tolkien, and Alan Lee (Illustrator). Houghton Mifflin. This volume incorporates The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King in one book. Boxed and bound in red leatherette, the volume features gold, green and blue foil stamping, two-color text setting, and large format fold-out maps. It's a great way to enjoy The Lord of the Rings adventure.

2. The Lord of the Rings - Houghton Mifflin

This boxed set from Houghton Mifflin includes: The Fellowship of the Ring The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, with jackets and a box. These cloth editions also include those large format fold-out maps that have helped us to visualize Middle-Earth as Tolkien intended us to. This edition features illustrations by Alan Lee, which enhances the text from J.R.R. Tolkien.

3. The Lord of the Rings (Hardcover edition) Houghton Mifflin

by J.R.R. Tolkien, and Alan Lee (Illustrator). Houghton Mifflin. This hardcover centenary edition features fifty specially commissioned paintings.

4. The Lord of the Rings (13 CDs)

by J.R.R. Tolkien. Bantam Doubleday Dell. This collection of 13 CDs offers the unabridged audio presentation from the BBC. The collection also includes illustrations, a map of Middle-Earth, plot summaries, biographical notes on Tolkien, and more.

5. Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings: A Guide to Middle-Earth

by Colin Duriez. Hidden Spring. Here's an exploration of The Lord of the Rings and its history. Duriez discusses key themes, concepts, images, but he also offers insight into the people and places in Tolkien's life, with a look at Tolkien's other writings.

6. Bored of the Rings: A Parody of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings

by Henry N. Beard and Douglas C. Kenney. This work is just what the title says--a paroldy on The Lord of the Rings. Whether you love (or hate) Tolkien's classic books, you'll enjoy this book. If nothing else, the book is good for a good laugh.

7. Hobbits, Elves and Wizards

by Michael N. Stanton. Palgrave. Michael Stanton has been teaching the works of J.R.R. Tolkien for more than 25 years at the University of Vermont. His look into Tolkien's world is bound to be amazing. Chapters included in this book are: "Backgrounds," "Geography, History, Theme" ... "Darkness, Evil, and Forms of the Enemy," and "On Languages."

8. J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century

by Tom Shippey. Houghton Mifflin. Shippey introduces his readers to the life and adventures of J.R.R. Tolkien. He discusses the phenomenon of Tolkien's dramatic success, offers insights into his works, and even writes about the accessibility of Middle Earth. He writes, "The hobbits are the bridge. The world they lead into... is the world of fairy-tale, rendered accessible..."