Lavishly illustrated with 1,000 photos, paintings, maps, sculptures and sketches, most appearing here for the first time, this is an indispensable chronicle of The Lord of the Rings" many creatures, warriors, armies and battlegrounds. From the graceful and proficient Elves to the horrendous war machines of the Dark Lord, each culture’s approach to warfare is explained - how they fought, why they were fighting, what arnlour they wore and what weapons they used against their enemies. Now you can get as close to a marauding Orc as you could ever wish, without suffering the consequences!

Treating the film-makers" notes, designs and props as a true archive, every major conflict depicted in the film trilogy is described in detail - from The Last Alliance of Elves and Men to the climactic Battle of the Pelennor Fields - with each accompanied by a unique illustration from the films" chief designers.

Middle-earth was a land of conflict. In every sense, it was a world shaped and defined by the eternal struggle between good and evil. Its mountains, seas, cities and plains were literally carved by eons of war between these opposing forces, and every race or culture that inhabited the world was characterised by the part they played. Each was an embodiment of some element of the battle of ideologies that had wrought and unmade Middle-earth time and again over the ages...

Foreword by Christopher Lee

Introduction by Richard Taylor

The History of the War of the Ring

The Last Alliance of Elves and Men

The Dead Marshes

Elves of the Second Age

Gil-galad

Elrond

Nfimen6reans

Elendil

Range weapon comparative chart

Isildur

Mordor Orcs of the Second Age

The Last Alliance - battle plan

Weathertop

Hobbits

Moria - The War of the Dwarves and the Orcs

Dwarves

Gimli

The Cave-troll

The Orcs of Moria

Gandalf

The Balrog

The Mines of Moria - plan

Amon Hen

Rohan

Wild Men of Dunland

Wargs & Warg-riders

The Defence of Helm’s Deep

Forging swords

Men of Rohan

King ThSoden

Eomer

I~owyn

Legolas

Elves of Lothl6rien

Uruk-hai

Helm’s Deep - battle plan

Saruman

Isengard

The Rangers of Ithilien

Faramir

Bows of Middle-earth

Gondor

The Men of Gondor

Denethor

Boromir

The Fountain & Citadel Guard

Orcs of Mordor

The Nazgfil

The Siege of Gondor

Grond & other siege equipment

Mountain-trolls

Easterlings

The Battle of the Pelennor Fields

Haradrim

Mfimakil

The Corsairs of Umbar

The Dead Men of Dunharrow

The Siege of Gondor/Battle of the Pelennor Fields - battle plan

The Black Gate of Mordor

The Mouth of Sauron

Aragorn

Sauron

The One Ring

Glossary of terms