The Lord of the Rings (Leatherette Collector's Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Unequalled and incomparable
Review: I cannot easily put into words my love for this great romance. It is a perfect creation which will never be equalled. In the past twelve years I have read it at least thirty times; it never loses its ability to enchant, and I continually find things I have missed on previous trips, albeit a simple appreciation of a subtle phrase. Tolkien was nothing short of a genius; Middle Earth is a complete creation -- a true world with real inhabitants, languages, traditions, etc. The characters are well-worn, familiar, and three-dimensional. One cannot do better than this for a good, thought-provoking read. Only one warning: do not read too much into it! Tolkien writes: "As for any inner meaning or 'message', it has in the intention of the author none. It is neither allegorical nor topical." Students of literature (I am guilty of this), theorists, and critical apparatus need not "apply." Good reading, friends!

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: Such a brilliant piece of literature, I cannot even begin to put it into words

Rating:
Summary: This is the quintessence of fantasy writing.
Review: I have just received my collector's edition of The Lord of the Rings. I was worried about spending that amount of money, but when I saw that box at my door, and opened it to find my book inside, I just sat down and cried. I have it setting on my mantle in my living room so I can see it every day. I take the book out of it's case and look at it a least once a week; it is absolutely beautiful. The outside of the book has gold trees and blue stars embossed on it--it looks very elvish. There is a large fold-out map in the back, which is wonderful since I can never seem to make everything out on the maps in my paperbacks. If you're a big Lord of the Rings fan but are hesitating due to the cost, don't. It is money well spent, an absolutely beautiful book, and a must for fans. After all, don't forget, the Red Book of Westmarch (which is what the Lord of the Rings story was taken from) was supposed to be three volumes bound together in red leather, in a single red case. Who wouldn't want a copy of the "real thing"?

Rating:
Summary: The best book ever written
Review: One morning about 15 years ago I was lying in bed sick and decided I wasn't really up to reading anything more complicated than a simple children's story. I borrowed The Hobbit from my brother, which I finished in a few hours. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to try the sequel, the Lord of the Rings, a book that I had heard about over the years but had never thought would be the sort of book I would enjoy. After all it's for children, isn't it? At 5.00am the next morning I got to "the grey havens", the superbly written final chapter. I have read it once or twice a year since then. And the only criticism I have, is the one admitted by the author - it is too short.

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Summary: Looking for the best copy of LOTR and THE HOBBIT?
Review: What makes these specific editions exciting are the wonderfully detailed paintings and pencil drawings by Alan Lee. They are beyond compare to any book I have read with illustrations. He is able to capture the fantasy magnificently. It is not always the heat of the action he depicts. Often it is simple scenery which brings the reader to the place itself, picturing it in her or his own mind so well, s/he can feel the very breeze as it swirls right out of the page!

Rating:
Summary: It only gets better with each rereading!
Review: The first time I read the Lord of the Rings trilogy was as an assignment in a college course. Since then, I have read it (and The Hobbit) about 17 times over the years. It never grows old or stale, and each reading reveals something new or something forgotten. It is a must read. Every character is unique and worthy of their own chapter. Any fantasy fan must make the journey through Middle Earth...it's a trip you won't forget. My paperback edition is worn out, and my hardcovers are getting there!

Rating:
Summary: 2 WORDS: WHOA HOA!!!!!!!!
Review: I would have to say that The Lord Of The Rings is the greatest trilogy in the history of mankind!!!! I read them this year. Believe me, many may try, but no one with succeed in topping this all-time classic! IF YOU AGREE, LET ME HEAR YOU SAY YEA!!!!!!!!! GIVE IT UP FOR TOLKIEN!!!!!!! If you enjoyed these books, read the great parody of them, Bored of the Rings. Tolkien was alive when this was published, so there is no need to think you are upsetting the dead when you read the parody of the best books ever written!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: go for it
Review: This book is one of the best out there. I have never read a better book. If anyone have not read it, they have not read anything. But there is a warning: once I started reading it, I could hardly stop until I had read them all!!!!!! So take a vacation from work and read Lord of the Rings straight through!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Probably the greatest fantasy book EVER
Review: LOTR is simply an amazing read. Tolkien`s magical world just comes to life in your mind. The plot and characters are excellent and the whole book is incredibly well written. LOTR is a true masterpiece, read it without delay. There may never be anything that matches it for decades.

Rating:
Summary: Yes, but read the Silmarillion, the Biography, et al!!
Review: You cheat yourself if you don't. Don't forget Tolkien's is a philological work. Don't forget either he wrote it just 'to tell a story.' I like his work because it has a soul, you can tell there is something more to it than just the written words. And it will be with you long after you finish reading the books. Tolkien is very much a part of my life. Every year when my birthday approaches I start reading the trilogy again. For a time I couldn't be without a copy of the Silmarillion. I read the biography, and wept at the end. I have never before or after done that. When I go to England, it will be to go to Tolkien's grave and do homage. I have read it in spanish (Tolkien loved the spanish language) and english. When I learn french, I'll read it in french. Force it, if you need to, to anyone you *love*. I'll give my children Tolkien names. (ps, I can't believe he said Eddings is better than Tolkien. *yuck* I think even Eddings would strangle him for saying that!) Leanlo en espannol! La traduccion es de hecho muy buena. Ah, si tan solo el idioma natal de Tolkien hubiese sido el espannol, o por lo menos romance! Email me at [e-mail] or [e-mail]