Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't compare with genuine epics
Review: Genuine epics or legends are based on allegory.This means saying one thing but meaning something else.Examples are the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Iliad and Odyssey of Homer, and the legends of King Arthur.I'm afraid Lord of the Rings is not in the same class as these.Genuine mythic epics operate on two levels: the physical events and the higher or spiritual meaning.Lord of the Rings operates simply on the physical level, with mundane messages.In this book there is no transcendent realm of spirit where the true meaning should lie.The epics mentioned are really about the journey of the soul, the vital aspect which is lacking in Lord of the Rings.Frodo's aim is simply to through the ring away, not gain something, such as the quest of the Grail.Lord of the Rings is no more than a good story, and it is well written.It should not be mistaken for a genuine mythic legend.
Rating: 
Summary: One ring to rule them, and in the darkness bind them...
Review: Where does one begin? To judge near perfection, all the while striving to place words in such a manner to draw the yet unchanged masses into our shared love affair, such a task is beyond my means, but my love for this glorious tale drives me to make an effort despite the fact.It is with great regret that I admit waiting until my twenty-fifth year to have read this literary masterpiece, and having claimed to be enamored with fantasy-fiction. Heresy, that's what it was, to have avoided this grand tale in favor of lesser offerings when only my memories of that foul and near blasphemous animated film version drove me away. I am driven to shame. I will refrain from illuminating the history of the story, and its author, as the information is available so readily in the "Editorial Reviews" portion of this page. Instead, I fear my review will remain in the realm of the subjective, as opposed to an unbiased intellectual appeal; sorry the story simply touches to deep for such a callous approach. However, I would like to suggest that if you decide to purchase this magnificent tale, I highly recommend the "Houghton Mifflin Co." edition, released in June 1999, an edition which claims to be the most accurate copy to date. More importantly, it is said Tolkien intended the three works: "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers", and "The Return of the King" to be considered one work, not a trilogy as we have come to know them. Having the three divisions in one binding reinforces the continuity of the tale as a whole, and I felt it greatly increased my veraciousness to devour each skillfully placed word. I am loath to reveal even the most innocent and seemingly innocuous detail about the tale, for fear, my words could steal any of the joy you find while reading Tolkien's words. Yet, you should understand that the tale follows in the days after "The Hobbit", and that the meager forces of light must fight the insurmountable shadow of evil. An age is coming to an end and with it the wonder and majesty of Middle-Earth. If you have yet to read "The Hobbit", do so first for it sows the seeds, which the "Lord of the Rings" skillfully harvests. Tolkien's opus is, and will always remain a seminal work of our age, a title none can afford deny themselves. The author's gentle, but sweeping touch resounds with a love for his creation. The fullness of the characters, and of the lands in which they live and die are so three dimensional, so very tangible and full of vitality that it is nearly impossible to refrain from growing emotionally involved. Even the villains are well developed. Through dialogue and narration we become aware of their motivations, giving renewed depth to the story and its events. Even now, this masterwork is being translated to the silver screen (a trilogy by "New Line Cinema"); read it now before you see the films, do not deny yourselves the true wonder of Tolkien's mastery.
Rating: 
Summary: BEWARE THIS EDITION!
Review: Lord of the Rings deserves a beautiful edition, and this is NOT it! The "Millennium Edition," which looks so nice in photographs, is in fact small (each volume is about the size of a trade paperback), badly printed on poor paper, and exceedingly shoddily made (the first time I opened a volume in a bookstore, the binding split right through). The volumes are not even real hardcovers, just paperbacks stuck in thin, skimpy covers of shiny board. I REPEAT: this is a lousy edition, grossly overpriced! Beware of it! You'd be much better off with a set of paperbacks you could replace for $15.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Haunting
Review: Definitely a must for any fantasy lover! It's amazing how Tolkien has created a complete world in its smallest details. I have read this book about five years ago, and I'm still haunted by elven lore, rings of power, and The EYE!
Rating:
Summary: How do you improve a timeless classic?
Review: Add illustrations by Alan Lee, co-illustrator of Faeries with Brian Froud. Truly stunning artwork. With this first edition including Lee's artwork, one should buy the volume for the collectibility value alone. Unforgetable artwork to accompany an unforgetable story of the most unlikely heroes!
Rating:
Summary: The most magnificent trilogy of books!
Review: I was so amazed at how magnificent the books really were! The plot was so wonderful, and the characters were so well put together and I have not in all my life have read a trilogy of books as brilliant as the Lord of the rings this is probably the greatest achievement in literature in the world. JRR Tolkien is one of the most brilliant authors of all time and I advise young adults and adults to buy this collection of books. These books are truly the greatest books ever written!
Rating:
Summary: After it, no fantasy book should have been written
Review: LOTR is the first fantasy book I have read, and, I could say, the last. Any other one about the subject I tried to read was not able to reach the same level, or also something comparable. Too deep the gap between LOTR and the others, and, maybe, too difficult to reach the same thouroughness of its structure, both from philology and novellistic point of view. The author is able to branch the story into different threads, to deal properly with them, and then to join them again (people with scientific background cannot help liking this "unifying" effort). The end is a bit sad, leaving the memory of a world that no longer exists (or that have never existed): a metaphor of human growth.
Rating:
Summary: Lord Of The Rings - Mind's Eye Version
Review: It's a shame that this version of Tolkien's masterwork is more common than the excellent BBC edition. It's full of trite acting (and pardon my Anglo-bias) done by American actors, some with shrill voices. I couldn't make past the 5th tape before this went to the used book store. It's only advantage is that it retains some key events (like Tom Bombadil) that the BBC version skips. Time is better spent reading the book!
Rating:
Summary: This deserves more than 10 stars.
Review: Man this is the best book ever written in the World.You will hear about this book when are are older and it will still be as popular as it is today.That is because no other book can compare to this book.No other book can come close to this one.I want to first say I love all the characters.He made some awesome heros and he made some cool villians.His 3 book trilogy is perfectly spaced into books and excellently written.I want to say everyone out there needs to read this book.You will never find a better book than this.
Rating:
Summary: Quite simply, the best epic fantasy ever written
Review: There are some things in life that each of us considers as part of him/herself. You know what I mean: a favorite place, some favorite piece of music, a book, that transports us to a new place. Whatever it is, it can make us cry, laugh, and feel. And feel in the deepest recesses of our souls. I am a music freak. But it is a rara avis indeed that can touch me forever: that one album that I pick up to change my moods that can thoroughly permeate and lift my spirits. When it comes to books, the power and intensity of Tolkien's masterwerk is unique. Compared to the (sometimes talented) contemporary writers who unsuccessfully try to fill his shoes, Tolkien's sense of character and pacing is first rate. Throughout the book, there is such a feeling of longing. By the end, despite Frodo's success, the world has changed forever; the magical elves will be gone forever. Gandalf's role is complete. There are no winners and losers. In that war, men may have won the day, but at the price of losing most of the world's magical past. Every time I read Sam's last words "Well, I'm back" as he returns home to Rosie and their children after saying goodbye to his friends at the Grey Havens, a shiver goes down my spine. So ends a truly magical book that can be read on so many levels. For the superb story, for its parallels to historical events, or to analyze the complex characters. If there is only one book for me in the afterlife, I really hope it is the Lord Of The Rings, I could read it until the end of time.
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