The three parts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings––The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the Ring––are available for the first time in a one-volume paperback edition (Houghton Mifflin; June 30, 1999). This edition is the definitive setting of the original text; it also contains six maps of Middle-earth. One of the best-loved epics of our time, The Lord of the Rings tells of Frodo Baggins’ perilous journey across the realms of Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, deep inside the territories of Sauron, the Dark Lord. With Gandalf the Wizard, Gimli the Dwarf, Legolas the Elf, and the other hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam, Frodo must foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.

Since its first publication in the 1950s, The Lord of the Rings has been loved by more than fifty million readers worldwide, becoming, as Tolkien envisioned, a living "myth."

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ELIGIBILITY: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM PRIZE. Entries must be postmarked by October 31, 1999 and received by November 7, 1999. The drawing will take place November 15. No purchase necessary to enter or claim a prize. Offered only in the United States and open only to legal U.S. residents 18 years of age and older. Employees of Houghton Mifflin Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates are not eligible.

TO ENTER: To enter complete an official entry form (available at most bookstores) or hand print your name, complete address and telephone number on a 3"x5" piece of paper. Mail your entry, postmarked no later than October 31, 1999 and received by November 7, 1999 to "Win a Trip to Middle-earth" Sweepstakes, PMI Station, P.O. Box 3528, Southbury, CT 06488-3528. Enter as often as you like but mail each entry separately. No mechanical reproduction of entries permitted.

PRIZE: On or about November 15, 1999 Promotion Mechanics, Inc. an independent judging organization, will conduct a random drawing from among all eligible entries received to award (1) Grand Prize—a trip for two to New Zealand for a behind-the-scenes visit to the set of New Line Cinema’s LORD OF THE RINGS film trilogy. Prize consists of round-trip coach air travel from the major commercial airport closest to the winner’s residence, double-room accommodations for 6 days/5 nights, ground transportation and $1,000 spending money. All other expenses are winner’s responsibility. Approximate retail value $7,000. Actual value will be determined by winner’s residence and seasonal rates. Travel and accommodations are subject to availability and certain restrictions. Trip must be taken within a period of time in 2000 to be determined by sponsor (subject to the schedule and availability of New Line Cinema Corporation) or prize will be forfeited. Winner will be notified by mail. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received which is estimated to be 100,000.

GENERAL: Taxes on prize are the sole responsibility of winner. By participating, entrants agree [a] to these rules and decisions of sponsor and judges, which shall be final in all respects relating to this sweepstakes; and [b] to release, discharge and hold harmless sponsor, its officers, directors, affiliates, subsidiaries, agencies, agents and representatives from any kind resulting from their participation in the sweepstakes or their acceptance, use or misuse of a prize. Winner will be required to complete an affidavit of eligibility/liability, and (where legal) publicity release, which must be returned within 15 days of attempted notification or an alternate winner may be selected. If winner is not of age of responsibility in state of residence, prize will be awarded in name of parent or legal guardian. Travel companion (or, if a minor, parent/legal guardian) must complete a liability/publicity release prior to departure. Travelers are responsible for all necessary travel authorizations such as passports and visas and for any travel insurance. By entering, participants agree to use of their names and/or photographs for advertising, publicity and promotional purposes without compensation (unless prohibited by law) and agree to execute specific consent to such use if asked to do so. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, mutilated, incomplete, illegible or postage-due entries or mail. Entry information becomes property of sponsor. No prize transfer. No prize substitution except by sponsor due to unavailability in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded.

WINNER’S LIST: For winner’s name, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be received by May 15, 2000 to "Win a trip to Middle-earth" Winner, PMI Station, P.O. Box 750, Southbury, CT 06488-0750.

SPONSOR: Houghton Mifflin Company, 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-3764