Rating: 
Summary: Great Hardcover edition
Review: I would recommend this instead of the Leatherette Collector's edition as well as the paperback, its a lot cheaper than the leatherette but with a big book like this its nice to have a hardcover.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Edition of the Best Epic Ever
Review: A classic tale, The Lord of the Rings is the de facto example of what fantasy should be. The story is one of singular beauty and spirit, uplifting to all readers. Offering a chance for a renewed and refreshed outlook on life (as Tolkien would want!), The Lord of the Rings is an excellently crafted story, recommened to all.Now, bearing this in mind, I am still aware that some do not like fantasy and thus will, in the end, not like The Lord of the Rings. For this reason, I do not suggest this edition to first time readers. Instead, I would suggest the paperback single-volume editions of LOTR to any who are reading this for the first time. However, for who have already read and enjoyed The Lord of the Rings, I would full-heartedly suggest this edition to them. It is the consummate expression of Tolkien's grand work, a befitting binding for this most awesome tale of heroism and sacrifice.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful addition to any Tolkien Fan's Collection
Review: I just got this edition for Christmas. I own several paperback editions, and I've also lost several. So a big heavy book containing all three parts of the story is great for me. For someone who often reads on the go, this may not be the best choice. But for those who like to display their books on their shelves, or sit and read in front of a nice cozy fire, this is a wonderful addition to any Tolkien or fantasy fan's book collection. The designs imprinted on the book in gold, blue and green are intricate and beautiful; modled after Tolkien's drawings himself. Inside it's printed in both red and black ink (the headings are in red), and gives the impression that you are reading a very old book. And it fits the story perfectly, as it is legend. Unabridged, it includes all parts of the text, including the appendices. In the back there is a large and beautifully detailed fold-out map of Middle-earth. It's very helpful in visualizing the story. Over all, this book looks like something that could actually be found in Middle-earth; a timeless text that you can see hobbits opening and reading to their grandchildren. If you are looking for a gift for any Tolkien fan and book lover, this is a sure bet. (oh, and I am older than 12, but I don't have an account here)
Rating:
Summary: Greatness
Review: I love this version of the book, and I love the book, so what else can I give it? 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: This is the copy you want to get.
Review: Tolkien wrote the Lord of the Rings as a set of 6 books, it was released as a 3 book trilogy most of the time. This edition, however, is considered by many (and, IMHO) the best, most accurate publication of The Lord of the Rings. The forward to the book goes into much detail about the history of the publication of the story, in it's various (authorized and unauthorized) forms, and as well recounts of some of Tolkien's letters to his publishers regarding his intentions for the books, and how he tried (until his death) to bring the thousands of pages of notes he had into a coherent thing. If you are going to read The Hobbit, LOTR, or The Silmarillion, I would recommend the quality paperback editions put out by Houghton Mifflin over all others.
Rating: 
Summary: Too complicated.
Review: Look, I love fantasy. But I just don't see the appeal behind LOTR. It makes, well, absolutely no sense -- It's massively confusing, a difficult read, and by the end of the 3 books I /still don't know what the story is about/. I just don't get it. I /want/ to understand, and I /want/ to love these stories.. But unfortunately, I just can't follow the incredibly tough storyline. Sorry. At any rate, the leather cover is a really nice touch, but... These 3 books just aren't for your average fantasy fan whom didn't manage to be an honor roll student.
Rating:
Summary: Collector's Edition
Review: Okay, I think we're all agreed: The Lord of the Rings is a great book, one that gets better every time you read it. If you're like me, what you really want to know is: Which is the best edition to buy? Paperback, hardback, three-volume, seven-volume, one volume, illustrated, movie tie-in, with collector bookends...there are so many choices! I looked at them all before deciding which edtion would be the most fun to read and to own. They each have their advantages: The paperbacks are cheap (the new 2003 single volume edition is a bargain at $12); Three individual volumes are easy to carry; Seven volumes neatly separate each of the the epic's six books plus appendices. But the single volume I think is the best reading experience. Completely indexed and with the appendices close at hand, you can enjoy the whole epic story as Tolkien envisioned it. The red leatherette-bound Collector's Edition is the best designed, type set and bound of all the currently available US editions. It features the corrected 1986 text. It's neat, comfortable to hold, and easy to read. By comparison, 1993 single volume edition (with illustrations by Alan Lee) is a heavy and unwieldy book. The thick glossy pages just fall out of the flimsy binding. This "Collector's Edition" is printed in black type on attractive, easy-to-read cream paper with nice page headings in red. It has a fairly sturdy sewn-in binding which opens out evenly for comfortable reading. There is a fine fold-out map of Middle Earth as well as numerous maps along with the text. At Amazon's prices this terrific edition of "Lord of the Rings" is very affordable. You're going to be spending a lot of time with this book. It might as well be in an edition that you can really enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: The Lord of the Rings
Review: What can you say about "The Lord of the Rings" that hasn't been said already? Obviously this is not just a fantasy novel, it is the fantasy novel. It's the one that moved the genre beyond cheesy entertainment and showed us what could an author with real vision, skill, and understanding could do. Tolkien brought us meaning, depth, and power. He brought us a story that is truly magnificent. Small wonder that so many of today's fantasy dwarves have decided to just rip him off rather than coming up with their own story. Small wonder also that those who are actually forging new frontiers and thinking up new ideas continue to cite Tolkien as their favorite author and leading influence. What exactly is it that Tolkien gets and the dwarves don't? Everything, really. But character is at the heart of it. Tolkien starts out with characters; that's why he wrote an opening chapter designed the show us the world of the Shire before the action actually starts. We understand Frodo not just as an automaton who experiences fear at point A and hope at point B, but rather as a living, breathing person. We know where he comes from, how he was raised, what drives him, and so forth, and thus we actually care what happens to him. And Tolkien does something that Brooks, Jordan, Goodkind, et. al. would never even consider: he works out true, dynamic personalities for his entire cast. Even minor characters such as Legolas and Gimli are distinct, not just cheesy comic relief sidekicks. But what really builds "The Lord of the Rings" into the greatest experience in fantasy is the little moments. Things that don't necessarily have the fate of the entire world hinging on them, but which are still emotionally memorable. For instance, when Sam first sees an enemy soldier dying near the start of book four, he pauses a moment to reflect on what that man's life might have been like and why he chose to serve the side of darkness. I also especially commend the scenes in the Houses of Healing in book six, Gimli's reflections after visiting Lothorien, and some of the pleasant banter between the hobbits in the first three chapters. Robert Jordan and the terrible Terrys, obsessed as they are with lame fight scenes and cheap melodrama, probably wouldn't be capable of such truly moving moments even if they had the desire to be real authors. Some people claim that Tolkien achieved his current vaunted status merely by being the first author to stew together mythology and fairy tales in a novel with such a large vision, and that his actually skill at writing isn't that great. They're wrong; it is that great. In the nuts and bolts elements of writing, he is without peer. Look at the landscapes. When the Hobbits arrive at the Black Gate and see the barren mountains of Mordor, Tolkien actually makes you feel the desolation of the landscape and the brooding presence of evil, rather than just telling you that they exist. I personally have always been delighted by authors who throw in some descriptions of nature just for the sake of describing nature. It not only helps you visualize the scene, but also lets you enjoy the beauty of it.
Rating: 
Summary: great book
Review: this book is awsome.when you first look at it you get a little bit scared ,because it's very big (about 1000 pages)and the first pages are really boring,but when u really start to read it,you just can'tstop,its very exciting,it makes you very curious to know what's going to happen next and it gets you inside the book,taking you to a different world.the characters complement themselves just perfectely and it's very well written (way better than ''harry potter'')and if you watched the movie and liked it,you are going to love the book
Rating:
Summary: A True Masterwork
Review: For any author to be able to say they've written one chapter as good as any in the Lord of the Rings (or the Hobbit for that matter)would be an exceptional boast, and this story is a true masterwork by anyone's writing scale. There are few written stories that can even convey the beauty, sadness, triumph, equality and humanistic..yet otherworldly three dimensional presence that the amazing J.R.R. Tolkien has. I mean come on the man created these books by first creating the languages inherent to the worlds within, with full linguistic conjugation, grammar, and pronunciation guides. Shame on you mister Kyle. Enjoy your crappy Dune sequels.
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