Good response Martin, and you're right on. Denethor was definitely daunted by the prospect of facing the foe that he witnessed through his Palantir. It was pretty sad how such a proud leader could be reduced to such an end. I think the loss of his dearest son, Boromir, was a large factor in his desperation as well. This, of course, made me dislike Denethor all the more because of Boromir's actions at Rauros. Who's to say, however, that Faramir would not have acted in the same manner?

Interesting too that we never did see much of Sauron throughout, but I guess that increased the wonder and fear that surrounded him. You made me think more about the fact that, as readers, we only really encountered Sauron through the eyes of the hobbits.

After Pippin's episode, Aragorn seized the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with Sauron through the Palantir, which, when you think about it, was as important to victory as any other event due to the fact that (if I'm not mistaken) Sauron unleashed his hordes early in response to seeing Aragorn's face and the Sword that was broken reforged.