Rating: 
Summary: An incredibly rich and rewarding story!!!
Review: To think that Tolkein created entire languages and histories and races (yes, he created the Hobbits) is just awesome and inspiring!!! I just finished re-reading The Fellowship to get my mind ready for the movie, and I was very pleased. The one problem I have with Tolkein's writing is that he uses too much detail when describing rivers, trees, hills, etc.. and I found myself skipping lines. However, I just love Strider and Frodo and Gandalf and Elrond's council and the lands of Lorien and the battle in the Mines. I highly recommend The Fellowship and I'm gearing up for the movie and book 2!!!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Not Enough Praise
Review: This book (and when I say "this book," I mean the entire trilogy) is an extremely intricate and powerful book that rewards multiple readings. To call it a good "adventure book" or to note that modern fantasy literature is virtually all just sincere flattery of Tolkien or to observe that Tolkien's own precedents were epic and mythological literature or to wonder at the depth, consistency, beauty and, above all, REALITY of Tolkien's Middle Earth is to damn with faint praise. Read it again. There is always something more. What struck me during my most recent reading was the deeply Christian ethos of the book. The ring is, of course, the power to indulge one's pride, the capacity for ultimate self-aggrandizement. The heroes of the west are all great because they are all able to deny themselves that power: Bilbo, Gandalf, Aragorn, Galadriel, even Boromir (after a moment's slip) are all great because they are humble. There's a wonderful passage in Mordor where Sam is wearing the ring and sees himself as the irresistible gardener, striding through the wasteland with a flaming sword and using the power of the ring to restore the land. It's delightful characterization and powerful writing. (...)
Rating:
Summary: An Enduring Classic; Tales, Adventure and Fellowship
Review: I just finished reading, "The Fellowship of the Ring," (FOTR) a few days ago. It was my second time and I think it is my favorite part of the Lord of the Rings (LOTR). Some of my favorite incidents happen here from, "An Unexpected Party," where many a Hobbit gather for Bilbo's farewell party to, "At the Sign of The Prancing Pony," a visit to a busy inn in the Hobbit town of Bree. Also, the chapters, "Many Meetings," and, "The Council of Elrond," are rare times of joy and rest where many different races meet for the Council of Elrond. Then, of course, there are the climatic chapters, "A Journey in the Dark," and, "The Bridge of Kazad-dum." and, "The Breaking of the Fellowship." What I like about the novel is this is where one learns the background of the tale; where did the Ring come from, what does it do and where has it been all these centuries? Tolkien creates a feeling that FOTR stands in a long tradition; the world of the novel is already thousands of years old by the time we visit it. After one finishes the entirety of the Lord of the Rings, "The Silmarillion," provides the creation myth and the ancient history of the Elves and the other races of Middle-Earth; Tolkien worked on it his whole life. There is also a great feeling of ambience; from the way Tolkien describes geography to the description of buildings and the physical description of characters. On a deeper level, one has the feeling that the current age is about to set and another age is about to rise. The mysterious, powerful, joyous Elves of old are about to fade away and leave Middle-Earth (where Tolkien set his story) forever and Men will takeover and so begin the Fourth Age. The story is suspenseful, as the small company of Hobbits sets out from their sheltered homeland called the Shire to far off Rivendell, just west of the Misty Mountains. All along the way, they are followed by the Black Riders who seek to recover the Ring from Frodo (the Hobbit who carries it) and return it to its evil Master. At times, Frodo is tempted to use the power of the Ring even though he knows that it is evil. At Bree, the company meets with Strider; who wears"[a] travel-stained cloak of heavy dark-green cloth was drawn close about him, and in spite of the heat of the room he wore a good that overshadowed his face; but the gleam of his eyes could be seen as he watched the hobbits." They all journey to Rivendell, where the many tales of old are told and the Council of Elrond is called to decide the fate of the Ring. The decision is made and a Fellowship made to guide Frodo; Merry, Sam, Pippin (his original Hobbit companions), Legolas (an Elf of Mirkwood), Gimli (a Dwarf of the Lonely Mountain), Boromir (Man of Gondor), Strider, and Gandalf the Grey (a wizard) set out with Frodo. They set out to cross the Misty Mountains, but defeated by snow and weather, decide to turn back and enter the Mountain. The Mountain used to be a grand palace of Dwarves and is sung of in their songs. I can only encourage you to read this book before the movie comes out. While the movie does look quite good, novel-film conversion is never perfect and the book is better than the film nearly every time, so read the book first. I set a goal to re-read the entire epic before the films arrive.
Rating:
Summary: Classic, Not Perfect
Review: The reason that I read this book is so that I could have some background knowledge to help me understand the book's movie, once it comes out this winter. The book certainly fulfills that purpose, and is a very good book as well, but there are some problems with Tolkien's writing that made it harder to read than it should be.
I'm sure that, with all the positive reviews (...), you're already aware of all the better parts of the story, so before I say those opinions for myself, let me say what's not so great about it: pacing problems. The first hundred pages of the book are used solely to provide the backstory, when this could probably have been done in 50 pages. And although the action sequences in the Mines of Moria are appropriately fast-paced, this was done at the expense of one of these scenes making immediate sense- very unfortunate, seeing as this particular scene is practically the climax of the book. And I really wish that the last chapter had just been left out; it feels more like a poorly-worded attempt at starting the next book than an ending. But note that I'm only noting three problems with the book. Those were the only problems that I could identify, and that's saying something about the quality of the rest of the book. Great characters, a consistent world, and generally lots of innovation make me glad I read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Viva Voce!
Review: Writing yet another review of "The Fellowship" is a bit like adding icing to a thousand layer cake. No matter how well written, it is highly unlikely that I could add anything new to the richly deserved kudos that Tolkien's efforts have received in the decades since they first appeared. I have read and re-read these works countless times since I first encountered them when I was in high school, which was back sometime around the invention of fire. I'm not going to even attempt to describe the contents of the volumes other than to state that it is the tale of a great journey and an even greater quest to free the world of a great horror. It shows how there is no such thing as the least or the greatest, and that all have terribly important tasks to do. Tolkien's tale combines fantasy within an ethical and moral framework to create a story that has value for every age group. Over the years, my perception of the books has changed considerably. MY first few readings where in childlike (or hippy-like) wonder, and then, over the years, I have become more conscious of the works as literary efforts and some of the wonder has worn off. But even so one cannot but be amazed by the amount of scholarship and effort that went into making "The Lord of the Rings" an epic which deeply touches almost everyone who comes into contact with it. On the negative side, though, I found in my latest re-reading that the language seemed a bit more overblown and stilted than I remembered. Unfortunately, that one piece of the gloss had worn off a bit. Recently, looking for some tapes to listen to during a long trip, I came upon this set, narrated by Rob Inglis. It was very nicely priced and just the right length. I decided to discover what it felt like to hear "The Lord of the Rings" instead of read it. It turned out to be a felicitous decision. The occasional over-formality of the written text seems to vanish when it is read. The tale takes on an entirely different flow, and I found myself much amazed by all the adventures and trials that the four hobbits faced. In a way, the spoken Ring is a completely different work. Rob Inglis does a remarkable job of reading. He manages to produce enough different voices to keep the many speakers separate from each other. I think the reading would have benefited from having additional readers, but Inglis does a fine job nonetheless. Except, unfortunately, when he sings. As much as I enjoyed hearing the many songs of Tolkien for the first time, Rob Inglis is not a singer. He can carry a tune alright, but there is something just a bit unmusical about it. Not enough to detract from the total effect, but enough to cause a wince now and then. Even so, this was a surprisingly enjoyable experience. Recommended to all who seek a different experience of a wonderful old tale.
Rating: 
Summary: A very passive adventure
Review: I had read dozens of fantasy books as a young adult, but never read the one that started it all, "The Lord of the Rings." With the movies coming out and the prodding of my father (who can't get enough of Tolkien), I decided to delve into Middle-Earth. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The characters are fairly one-dimensional, the story is not all that interesting, and nothing happens as a result of the main characters. The fellowship moves along on their quest, but don't seem to do anything. The book's strength lies in the encompassing nature of the world that Tolkien has created. A long history of all the denziens of Middle Earth exists and you get the feeling that Tolkien may be more interested in the past of his world than the current story of Frodo and the Ring. The number of races (elves, hobbits, orcs), their interrelations, and their place is all of interest, but not enough to keep me interested in Frodo's dull quest in which he takes no action. Because the book ends without resolution, I will continue to read the trilogy and hope that Frodo becomes a more active character as he seems to try to become in the last chapter of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Fantastic Far Out Fantasy
Review: This book definelty met my expectations, if you like fantasy stories then you'll love this trilogy. Tolkein gives the different races a certain attitude and the individual characters have personalitys that meet those attitudes. You know the dwarves are physically strong and carry pride, the elves are secret and cunning, the hobbits are hasty and curious, and many other things without Tolkein coming out and directly saying it. He is able to describe the scenary and the situation extremely well, I feel like I'm really in a land to where the grass is fresh and green, the air is refreshing and easy to breath, and the atmoshphere is happy when he explains the Shire. Yet on the other hand he can make me feel fear by explaining the fright that the characters are experiencing. I would definetly recommend this book to anyone that likes elves and magic and old tales and songs being sung and all that cool stuff that should be in a fantasy book because he is wonderful and describing it and getting his point across.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: The Lord of the Rings is the one of the best pieces of Literature in the English language. " Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron" ~ C.S. Lewis The Fellowship o the Rings is the first book in TLOTR series. Imagine sharing your birthday with your 111 years old
uncle who is a famous rich man. One day, he leaves you his greatest possesion, a powerful ring, before leaving you alone in the city Shire. Later, you find out that the ring contains powers that were never known before and that it must be destroyed in the Cracks of Doom, which will take you on a life-long journey. Has that ever happened to you? Probably not. Get into the life of Frodo Baggins, a hobbit for his type of adventure. (Note: It is highy recommended that you read "The Hobbit" first, because it is an introduction to TLOTR series.
Rating:
Summary: The Hobbit
Review: The one that started it all! Join Bilbo Baggins as his wish for adventure binds all of Hobbylta to a quest to save Middle Earth. Tolkien created a world all his own that invites the reader to stay just a bit longer. If you haven't read it yet, then you're missing one of the greatest fantasy adventures of your life.
Rating:
Summary: Tolkein is brilliant!
Review: I agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so I will not say that I disagree with so-and-so's review on Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Personally I have a very, very strong affection for this book and I think it is truly one of the most beautiful works of literature of all time. Tolkien's landscape of imagination is staggering. I understand that some people may find the songs and poems tedious to read, but I think it is these songs and poems which bring a certain magic to the whole story. This story is amazing - it is comical, adventurous and dark at the same time. I actually felt sad when it came to an end! Tolkien had this incredible talent for evoking strong emotions from the reader (well, from me anyway!); his style is simple, yet elegant and beautiful, and melancholy all at once. I thought that many of the characters were given great depth, and I became especially fond of Gandalf and Sam! And one of the things I really loved about this story was that the 'hero' who embarked on the quest to destroy the Ring, and who suffered greatly from this quest, was actually a little hobbit and not some stereotyped handsome hero. This goes to show that everyone - including little plain people - can be a hero in their own way, if they have the heart to accomplish their task. I have read other fantasy stories, but somehow I just don't find them even remotely as captivating as Tolkien's LOTR.
Reading this book opened up a whole new world to me, and it was indeed a wonderful, unforgettable experience. I read this book in high school, and I've been reading it at least once every year since. I never tire of it, it is very endearing. And I am looking forward to the movie, it really does look amazing!
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