The Sword of Shannara is one of the most important books in the history of the fantasy genre. Without it and its bestselling success in 1977, publishers might still be worried about the fantasy genre's sales viability. The novel has been read by millions of people around the world. That is a testament to its magic.

The story of Shea Ohmsford and his quest to gain the Sword of Shannara is one filled with adventure, magic, friendship, and a very dark evil. It is the beginning of much more, of course, the first novel in the Shannara series.