Here is the book Tolkien fans have needed for half a century -- a detailed, book-length chronology of J.R.R. Tolkien's complex tale. Whether you are a serious Tolkien fan or simply someone who enjoys reading the story over and over again, this is the book for you. It is the first new type of reference for The Lord of the Rings to be published since the 1970s. Beginning over 1400 years before the major events in Tolkien's epic, it describes, year by year, the amazing and imaginative background history that Tolkien created for his masterpiece. Then for the main narrative, it becomes a day-by-day reference, describing what each character is doing on that day and where those events are described in Tolkien's writings. You can find out, for instance, what Merry and Pippin are doing as Sam prepares rabbit stew for Frodo on the morning of March 7. Probe deeper into Tolkien. See why someone as serious as Gandalf had such an intense interest in innocent and fun-loving Hobbits. Discover an exciting new plot, based on Tolkien's notes, that begins when Aragorn captures Gollum. Follow along as the Black Riders and Gandalf race for the Shire. Decide for yourself whether Sauron and the Ring have any ties to Hitler and Stalin. Ponder what Tolkien believed about nature and technology. Here you will find answers to those issues and many more. - Back cover.