Written by J.R.R. Tolkien, between 1937 and 1949, "The Lord of the Rings" is a high fantasy epic and sequel to his previous work "The Hobbit".  The three-volume saga includes the books: "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers", and "The Return of the King".  The story chronicles the resurrection and rise of Sauron, the Dark Lord, who influenced the elven smiths to create the Rings of Power, which are distributed among major races of Middle Earth, Men, Elves and Dwarves.  Sauron has also, secretly, created the One Ring, which, when he reaches his full power, will be able to control the wearers of all the other rings.  Unfortunately, for Sauron, the ring was taken from him at the time of his last defeat, and was subsequently lost.   This malevolent artifact is the pivotal element in the saga, which concerns the valiant efforts of the Fellowship to destroy the One Ring, which has come into the hands of the Hobbit, Frodo Baggins.  From quiet beginnings in the Shire, a hobbit land not unlike the English countryside, the story ranges across Middle-earth following the course of the War of the Ring through the eyes of its characters, most notably the hobbits.  Frodo, his cousins, Merry and Pippen, his faithful friend and servant, Sam, the elf, Legolas, the dwarf, Gimli, the men, Aragorn and Boromir, and the wizard Gandalf the Grey, travel through the dangerous countryside, beset with trials and temptations, on their way to Mount Doom, the only place in all of Middle Earth where the ring can be destroyed.

Tolkien's masterpiece has been a major influence on the fantasy genre and it's frequently associated science fiction counterpart, inspiring books, art, music and games.  The stories have been adapted for radio, theater and film.  Beginning in 2001, Peter Jackson developed it into a trilogy of live action films.  These films, shot in New Zealand and starring an international array of stars, have garnered critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.