The Two Towers is the second volume of J. R. R. Tolkien's epic high fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings, first published in 1954. It continues the quest begun in The Fellowship of the Ring, following the sundered members of the Fellowship across the lands of Middle-earth as the shadow of the Dark Lord Sauron grows. The volume is divided into two internal 'books': Book Three follows Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli as they pursue the Uruk-hai who have captured Merry and Pippin, leading them to the war-torn kingdom of Rohan and the ancient Ents of Fangorn Forest. Book Four returns to Frodo and Sam on their perilous journey toward Mordor, guided by the treacherous creature Gollum.
The title itself has been a subject of debate, as Tolkien was initially uncertain which two towers it referred to, eventually settling on Orthanc, the stronghold of the corrupted wizard Saruman, and Minas Morgul, the fortress of the Ringwraiths. The novel is notable for its interlaced narrative structure, cutting between the two groups of characters to build suspense and thematic resonance. The Two Towers deepens the trilogy's exploration of heroism, corruption, and the natural world under threat, introducing iconic sequences such as the Battle of Helm's Deep and the march of the Ents on Isengard.
Upon publication, the volume was praised for its compelling blend of epic scope and intimate character drama. It has remained continuously in print and has been translated into dozens of languages, cementing its place as a cornerstone of modern fantasy literature and influencing generations of writers and artists.