High Towers and Strong Places: A Political History of Middle-earth surveys Tolkien’s world from Beleriand to Barad-dur and Utumno to Umbar, and from the First to the early Fourth Age. It examines not just types of political systems, but cultural differences, international relations and why there were so many wars over 7000 years of Middle-earth’s history. (How those conflicts were waged will be covered in the successor volume, Bright Swords and Glorious Warriors: A Military History of Middle-earth.) If you’ve ever wondered how Sauron controlled his Orcs, what Gondor owed Numenor, the way the Shire was governed or why Dwarves and Elves didn’t get along-this is the book for you.