Henry Gee ingeniously reveals how contemporary science can explain some of the wonders of Middle Earth, where Tolkien's marvellous fantasy creates a world with an insistent sense of reality. Gee delights in explaining such scientific conundrums as: How does Frodo's coat of mithril chain armour deflect deadly blows? How good are Legolas's eyes, he can count the Riders of Rohan at a distance of five leagues, and what does that tell us about the elves? How are the orcs reproduced? Just because 'Lord of the Rings' is the world's most popular fantasy does not prevent scientific explanations for its wonders.