Rating: 
Summary: Tolkien is The Master Story-Teller....he created the genre
Review: The writings of Professor Tolkien are absolutely Timeless. These books are the gauge by-which all Fantasy books are measured. The Hobbit and The Trilogy have been the Inspiration for decades of works by other authors, yet I have not ever seen these works surpassed by anyone. Terry Brooks is the only author I have read who even compares to J.R.R. Tolkien and his epic style. I became fascinated with The Hobbit and Trilogy when I was in the seventh grade. I borrowed them from a friend and snuck them home. I was completely enthralled with the world Tolkien created. I was not allowed to read anything that was even remotely related to Wizards, Witches, Astrology, D&D, etc., so these books were like nothing I had ever seen, before. I was captivated and felt the call to become a Writer. Previously, the poetry and such that we were studying in school BORED me to tears. I found my schooling to be mind-numbingly BORING and Tolkien became my Inspiration to Learn, create Poetry, Write stories, Study, become an Anthropologist, delve into Masonic Lore and so much more.... Throughout High-School, I had pictures of Prof. Tolkien on my wall and I desired to be like him. Not-only was he the Greatest Fantasy Writer the world has known, but he was "Professor of Anglo-Saxon, at Oxford University, from 1925 to 1945....and professor of English Language and Literature....and a Fellow of Merton College from '45 to his retirement in '59." Check out his translations of (book title:)"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo" (J.R.R. Tolkien) Also, Prof. Tolkien wrote wonderful stories like "Smith of Wooten Major (&) Farmer Giles of Ham" for children. Pop those titles into the search box! I can honestly say that reading Tolkien changed my life...for the Better! Tolkien created the highest standards of writing for generations of authors....I am quite sure he would be deeply disappointed with the majority of books published today, with numerous spelling errors and pathetic grammar. I believe Tolkien is a god-send to English teachers. Perhaps, he can still inspire young people to elevate their Writing and English skills, from beyond. I would fight to keep his works on the shelves. I was not allowed to do my Senior Thesis about this author, despite the fact that he is such an amazing author and advocate of Literature. I lost interest in doing my thesis and threw something together at the last minute. Perhaps teachers should Recognize the potential for inspiring youth, via the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Rating: 
Summary: Still The Best!
Review: CHARACTERS-The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, seems to be a very strange person to write about in a fantasy novel (considering he's plump, lazy, has hair on his toes and hates adventures) but turns out to be a rather enjoyable nostalgic-like outcome. The dwarves (they could of done with less, I suppose) are pretty much the same character with some variations and exceptions such as Thorin, but just their rhyming names and happy demeanor throughout the story makes this book all the more merrier (besides the traditional cliche for fantasy is a large group of heroes setting out to fight evil, right?) Gandalf is like all mysterious mages, sorecerers and wizards in fantasy novels...you just can't do with out them. It seems they always set the foundation for the plot as well..... STORY-Not the best story in the world, and definetly not one set on need. Gandalf the wizard and king Thorin of the dwarves are setting up a group of adventurers to embark on an journey. Gandalf suggests Bilbo (the burglar) would be the the perfect person to be the last member of the dwarven group. King Thorin is setting out with his companions to retake his throne from the evil red dragon, Smaug. Smaug lies in the midst of the dwarven kingdom where dwarven gold lays in heaps along with a valuable item of particular dwarven interest. QUALITY-This will be very short. Tolkien is a great writer with a great mind for imagination. The adventures the rather small group takes on are very fun and mysterious if not terribly entertaining. FANTASY-The good ol' stuff... dwarves, wizards, sorcerers, elves everything that makes up traditonal fantasy. If you don't like traditonal, this book might not be for you. I myself used to be a huge fan, but now am more into the original stuff, like Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time. RATING-From 1 to 10, I give this book a 7. Keeps you very interested! A classic fantasy buy!
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Summary: Nice coffee table book!
Review: I bought this book because I wanted a hardcover illustrated fancy version of "The Hobbit". I'm just going to pretend that everyone who reads this review has already read "The Hobbit" and knows what it's about. Like I suspect many others do, I have my own old sacred tattered and dog-eared paperback version on the Tolkien bookshelf. This book (the physical object, not just the story) is beautiful. It's clothbound in dark green and embossed in gold, and the bottom corner of the front cover has a gold embossed dragon, tastefully rendered. The paper dustjacket/cover features a dragon as well (I'm guessing Smaug). Eye-catching. There are many full-page color paintings, and many grayscale drawings (not full page) throughout. I'm not an art student, so I don't know what they're really called. Pencil-drawings or something. I call them grayscale because they're gray. Anyway, the Allen Lee illustrations are utterly charming, soft and colorful without being too bright. However, I wouldn't recommend this illustrated book for very young children; some of the goblins and trolls are frightening! I was a bit disappointed that Alan Lee didn't include more illustrations of Elves. Most of the pictures dealt with Bilbo and the dwarves, with a few of goblins and Gollum (scary). Also, I pictured Bilbo Baggins to be somewhat on the "stout" side...the text *does* refer to Hobbits as being "inclined to be fat in the stomach" and liking two dinners a day, "when they can get it." The Bilbo Baggins in these illustrations is quite slender and looks as if he could use that second dinner right away! Maybe even a third and fourth! The balding, skinny Hobbit did surprise me. But then, I kind of expected the chubby halfling I saw on some old Tolkien calendars. This book makes a wonderful coffee table book and would make a great gift. It's printed on thick glossy paper, so the book is heavy. In these days of cheap hardcover bookbinding and paperbacks that have the consistency of the thick weekly manga, this book is truly a work of art in itself. Recommended for all but the very young, or the easily frightened.
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Summary: THE Fantasy novel
Review: The Hobbit is the be all and end all of fantasy literature...and it is one of the few works of fantasy deserving of the title literary work, for it is indeed that: A work of beauty, meaning and purpose. That Tolkien could write a children's story with such depth and resonance that anyone from 3 to 300 can read and enjoy is beyond nearly any other writer's ability, at least in this genre. The Hobbit stands alone as a beautifully written tale, but that it left so many tiny cracks that Tolkien could create an epic sequel and a complete land (With amazing history!) is beyond me. The Hobbit deserves reading once for entertainment, twice for discovery, and unlimited re-readings to delve again and again into a world that, beneath the magic, isn't unlike our own.
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Summary: A great bedtime read
Review: What can you say about this classic? Just purchase it, and be rewarded with a rich read that will thrill you with the silky smoothness and velvety richness of the characters. When you read this book, don't read it to yourself, read it to someone, and make up voices for each of the characters. Enjoy them. Revel in Gollum's retchedness. shiver in Mirkwood, and stare in amazement at the view from an eagles claw. Don't buy this one for yourself, buy this one for your kids, wife or girlfriend and read it to them with all the energy and fervor that it deserves, and you'll be amazed at the enjoyment you get out of this book whether it's your 1st read, or your thousandth!
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Summary: The Hobbit
Review: The Hobbit is one of the best Fantasy books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Only a real genius could have come up with the tale of Bilbo Baggins and the magical ring. I would like to encourge other fantasy lovers to read this wonderful book. I believe that you will have a hard time putting it down once you start.
Rating: 
Summary: A Linear Book
Review: I have heard about 'The Lord of the Rings' in 1985. A physician friend of mine told me about the saga. This information slept in my mind for 15 years. This year a work partner started talking about the upcoming movie. Some friends were reading the book. My brother's girlfriend read all three saga's book. Influenced by her, my wife read all the them. There were many people talking about 'The Lord of the Rings'! I decided were time to start reading the saga. My wife told me to start reading 'The Hobbit'. It were I kind of 'preface' to 'The Lord of the Rings'. Well, the book is quite linear. No flash backs, very well defined characters, each chapter self contained. Should you read the book? Yes, I think so. You will see many similaraty between several comics, cartoons and movies and the book. And that's all, folks: a simple constructed book, a linear history. My wife told me that the 'The Lord of the Rings' are more complex and reading 'The Hobbit' would be a good 'introduction' to this universe. I will start reading 'The Lord of the Rings' this week. Tolkien deserves a 3 stars rate until now.
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Summary: The Hobbit the prequel to the lord of the rings
Review: The Hobbit: a young hobbit (by their standards) by the name of Bilbo Baggins is thrown into a great adventure with the 13 dwarves and the wizard Gandalf the Grey. Their quest is to go to the misty mountains and reclaim the treasure and let their dwarf leader Thorin take back his throne. They were driven away by the evil dragon smaug many years ago now they are back. Yet, the most important thing that happens in the quest has nothing to do with any of this, although it will change the world forever... I recommend this book, because it is an epic fantasy that is so well written and truly mind boggling. Tolkien takes you were you never could have gone with out him; he takes you to a different world. That seems almost realer than ours. If you like fantasy you will cherish this book. By: Michael
Rating: 
Summary: Most Overrated Book In Literary History
Review: Why people claim to enjoy this book I'll never know. The writing style doesn't flow, the characters aren't particularly all that well developed, and the storyline isn't all that interesting. This is a prime example of what happens when Star Trek and Star Wars dorks pick up a book. They see the word "wizard" or "dragon" and get all gooey with excitement and think it's great literature.
Rating:
Summary: Quite a story.
Review: Since there are over 600 customer reviews listed below, I can't really say much more than what other people have already said. I am an adult who likes fantasy & scifi and I liked this book very much. The story is quick moving and wrriten with a sense of humor. I liked the way it was told in a storytelling fashion, as if it were being read to you. I plan to read the other books in the series. I tried reading these books in the 4th grade, but did not enjoy them as much as I am enjoying them now.
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