Continuing the story of The Hobbit, this three-volume boxed set of Tolkien???s epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, features striking black covers based on Tolkien???s own design, the definitive text, and three maps including a detailed map of Middle-earth. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power ??? the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring ??? the ring that rules them all ??? which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.