I love the (all too brief) depictions of the War of Wrath and Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Both were so well crafted, with tragedy, valor, bravery, friendship and horror mixing perfectly in their limited descriptions in the Silmarillion. As for the most thoroughly crafted battle, I would have to say it is the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. There are so many different angles (the ride of the Rohirrim, Faramir retreating from Osgiliath, the coming of Aragorn, the battle of Merry and Eowyn against the Witch King, Gandalf's various deeds, etc.), all brought together by an overwhelming sense of grim resolve and dire hopelessness. After reviewing my post, I have to say that my favorite would be the Pelennor, for sheer excitement, grandiosity and reader involvement.
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...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.
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