Did you know this deluxe edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic prelude to his Lord of the Rings trilogy contains a short introduction by Christopher Tolkien, a reset text incorporating the most up-to-date corrections, and all of Tolkien’s own drawings and full-color illustrations, including the rare “Mirkwood” piece?
J.R.R. Tolkien's own description for the original edition: "If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) -- if you do not already know all about these things -- much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period. For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like noise."
Review:
The Hobbit is a lighter adventure story, suitable for children, though even adults will find it a superb story. Tolkien's words paint a vivid picture of Middle Earth - of its beauty and its darkness. He does such an excellent job of portraying the characters that by the end of the book, you would be able to predict how any of them would react in a given situation. I believe that this is a book which would appeal even to people who think of fantasy literature as wierd and far-fetched. After you have read the Hobbit, which everyone capable of breathing should be required to do, run out and get Lord of the Rings and read it. This is a continuation of the story began by The Hobbit: 75th Anniversary Edition, and is a much darker tale. In L.O.T.R. we catch a glimpse of the deep and rich history of Middle Earth and its people. If you have not read any of these, then, by all means, stop what you're doing, order these books, shut yourself in a room, and don't come out until you've finished. You will be a better person because of it.
The main character in the book The Hobbit is a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. A Hobbit is a short dwarf-like creature that really is not very capable of action. Bilbo was one of these exceptions, since he was born from a very famous family of Hobbit who were always getting into trouble. Bilbo's personality changes throughout the story..
This adventure is an intricate web of adventure where one adventure leads into the next. Escaping from goblins, being rescued by giant eagles, killing dragons, and protecting a hoard of treasure may seem like a typical adventure story. This story will tingle the senses and twist your imagination to new heights and leave you wanting more and more! In a lifeless, boring, adventure-less, hobbit town with a shy, dull, adventure-less hobbit came an adventure of all adventures, one that couldn't be turned down. The shy hobbit meets a wise, risky, well-known wizard who talks the hobbit to throw a party and the hobbit accepts. At the party, the hobbit meets thirteen dwarves, who turn out to be his traveling companions and each have different traits and personalities which both aid and the hurt the friends on their journey. The friends start on their journey and they must travel through dangerous mountains filled with deadly goblins. There the hobbit proves his usefulness and saves the dwarves from the goblins from there on the hobbit pulls the dwarves and sticky and dangerous situations. This book is terrific. J.R.R. Tolkien's writing is detailed and flowing that lets the reader feel like he or she is actually in the story.
The Lord of the Rings ( a single epic, NOT a trilogy) was written to cash in on The Hobbit's success. Tolkien wanted to get on with the more serious work of his mythology, and ultimately that is what happened with The Lord of the Rings. It became attached to his mythology, and became as important to him as The Silmarillion.
So delineation is required if you want to read this. Do not go in with the thought that The Hobbit is a "precursor" or any such nonsense to The Lord of the Rings. Think of it like you would think of any other children's classics: children's classics. If you take it on The L. R.'s terms, this is a failure, primary because it is not written to be like that. But, on the flipside, The L. R. is as much a failure in children's fiction. It is not children's fiction, it is epic fantasy, and one should not equate it with children's fiction. That is EXACTLY what people try to do with The Hobbit. They try to put it in the same type of genre or playing field as The L. R. They are both masterpieces, and I love them both dearly. But one is for children, the other with adults.
J.R.R. Tolkien's own description for the original edition: "If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) -- if you do not already know all about these things -- much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period. For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like noise."
Review:
The Hobbit is a lighter adventure story, suitable for children, though even adults will find it a superb story. Tolkien's words paint a vivid picture of Middle Earth - of its beauty and its darkness. He does such an excellent job of portraying the characters that by the end of the book, you would be able to predict how any of them would react in a given situation. I believe that this is a book which would appeal even to people who think of fantasy literature as wierd and far-fetched. After you have read the Hobbit, which everyone capable of breathing should be required to do, run out and get Lord of the Rings and read it. This is a continuation of the story began by The Hobbit: 75th Anniversary Edition, and is a much darker tale. In L.O.T.R. we catch a glimpse of the deep and rich history of Middle Earth and its people. If you have not read any of these, then, by all means, stop what you're doing, order these books, shut yourself in a room, and don't come out until you've finished. You will be a better person because of it.
The main character in the book The Hobbit is a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. A Hobbit is a short dwarf-like creature that really is not very capable of action. Bilbo was one of these exceptions, since he was born from a very famous family of Hobbit who were always getting into trouble. Bilbo's personality changes throughout the story..
This adventure is an intricate web of adventure where one adventure leads into the next. Escaping from goblins, being rescued by giant eagles, killing dragons, and protecting a hoard of treasure may seem like a typical adventure story. This story will tingle the senses and twist your imagination to new heights and leave you wanting more and more! In a lifeless, boring, adventure-less, hobbit town with a shy, dull, adventure-less hobbit came an adventure of all adventures, one that couldn't be turned down. The shy hobbit meets a wise, risky, well-known wizard who talks the hobbit to throw a party and the hobbit accepts. At the party, the hobbit meets thirteen dwarves, who turn out to be his traveling companions and each have different traits and personalities which both aid and the hurt the friends on their journey. The friends start on their journey and they must travel through dangerous mountains filled with deadly goblins. There the hobbit proves his usefulness and saves the dwarves from the goblins from there on the hobbit pulls the dwarves and sticky and dangerous situations. This book is terrific. J.R.R. Tolkien's writing is detailed and flowing that lets the reader feel like he or she is actually in the story.
The Lord of the Rings ( a single epic, NOT a trilogy) was written to cash in on The Hobbit's success. Tolkien wanted to get on with the more serious work of his mythology, and ultimately that is what happened with The Lord of the Rings. It became attached to his mythology, and became as important to him as The Silmarillion.
So delineation is required if you want to read this. Do not go in with the thought that The Hobbit is a "precursor" or any such nonsense to The Lord of the Rings. Think of it like you would think of any other children's classics: children's classics. If you take it on The L. R.'s terms, this is a failure, primary because it is not written to be like that. But, on the flipside, The L. R. is as much a failure in children's fiction. It is not children's fiction, it is epic fantasy, and one should not equate it with children's fiction. That is EXACTLY what people try to do with The Hobbit. They try to put it in the same type of genre or playing field as The L. R. They are both masterpieces, and I love them both dearly. But one is for children, the other with adults.
