Answer to Laura, Re: Trilogy
John R.

Laura questions whether it is proper to call LotR a "trilogy", since the three books really comprise a single story, or book.

I'd respond to Laura that she is focusing too carefully on the rhetoric.   For decades, LotR has been referred to as a trilogy, and this common usage has entered into the vernacular.  So, we call it a trilogy. 

I don't have the books in front of me, but my recollection is that Tolkien actually divided them internally into six books, i.e., first book ending with Frodo's flight to the ford, third book ending with Gandalf and Pippin racing off to Gondor.  I don't like the sound of the latin-based word for six books, so I won't state it here.   "Trilogy" sounds just fine.