The book that inspired Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings! It is the twelfth century, the era of Richard the Lion-heart and the Third Crusade. Along the Danube, the tranquil world shared by the young squire Otto and his cousin Bertha is changed forever when they witness a knightly contest for possession of a magic ring. Soon both are drawn into a quest that transforms them and endangers all they love. The resulting adventures lead each to different paths of enchantment and peril, from the mysteries of Moorish Spain to the birthplace of Norse mythology. While navigating an ever-changing sea of allies and foes, both natural and magical, the two seek love, honor, survival, and a ring that possesses more power than either can possibly understand. A seamless blend of medieval quest, epic fantasy, and Gothic nightmare, The Magic Ring draws on an impressive host of inspirations, such as Germanic folk tales and Icelandic sagas, Arthurian romance and Gothic horror. This novel has earned its place as a text of considerable historical significance, and yet it continues to offer an exhilarating reading experience for the modern audience. This edition includes the complete original text of the first English version of The Magic Ring , the 1825 translation by Robert Pearse Gillies, as well as a scholarly introduction, a glossary of literary influences and references, and the complete text of Fouqué's 1820 short story "The Field of Terror," also translated by Gillies. "[A] work of fantasy that has truly endured the test of time...A must-have for readers of classic fantasy." -- Midwest Book Review, October 2006 Reaching back to 1825, this is the original English translation of La Motte-Fouqué's Magic Ring trilogy, here presented in a single volume. This version was edited by Tolkien scholar Amy H. Sturgis, who makes a case that this story was a dominant influence on Tolkien's own ring writings. -- Library Journal, October 1, 2006 The Magic Ring remains a very readable and entertaining novel, with numerous twists and turns, mysteries and secrets revealed...This...is why it deserves a reading after over a century in obscurity." -- SFSite.com, October 2006 Used Book in Good Condition