Rating: 
Summary: Childhood Fantasies
Review: These books captured my imagination like no other books ever have. Tolkien's vision is astounding. His ability to use words to paint such an enormous and vivid picture is without equal. I cannot get enough of Middle Earth. Although these are fantasy novels, everything is so real. There is no way I can do justice to Tolkien's masterpeice with these few words. Middle Earth is a place where childhood dreams, nightmares, and fantasies all come true in bright, vivid colors.
Rating:
Summary: Startling, like lightning from a clear sky.
Review: I've just finished reading the Lord Of The Rings for the second time. My first reading of it was about three years ago. Amazingly, (and I think this says something of the quality of the story itself) I would say I enjoyed it even more this second time around. It is so sweeping and wide that it still thrills, never losing any of its unpredictablity even if one is already familiar with the ending. Tolkien's Middle Earth is so immense, such an entire "sub-creation" (as the author himself referred to it)... complete with its own creatures, history, languages, and breathtaking landscapes... I believe it is without parallel in fantasy literature of any era. This book is myth, rather than allegory. By that I mean that there is not really meant to be any strict one-to-one correspondence to specifically theological, political, or psychological aspects of our own "real" world. No-one in Middle-Earth is named Mr. Worldly-Wiseman or Mr. Evangelist or Mr. Charity. No, here we meet people and things like Tom Bombadil, Gollum or Treebeard... hobbits, elves, dwarves, ents, orcs and yes, even Men. And yet, as with great allegorical works all of these characters gravitate to one of two poles or extremes that can be seen as "good" or "evil". The Lord of The Rings is truly about a grandiose struggle between the FORCES of good and evil. In Chapter 2 of Book 2 we read that "Good and ill have not changed... nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men." An interesting thing about the book is how Tolkien's brand of "dualism" very subtly points to the reality that ultimate Good or Evil is something yet greater (or beyond) any of the characters that try to perpetrate either of them. This is most clear in a statement by Gandalf in Book 3 during "The Last Debate" where he says "Other evils there are that may come; for Sauron is himself but a servant or emissary. Yet it is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule." If Sauron (who throughout the book appears as the evil to be reckoned with) is "but a servant or emissary"... then we must consider the question... an emissary of what? Or whom? And similarly, if all of the "good" that the Fellowship of The Ring strives to achieve will yet not "master all of the tides of the world"... then where is this locus of ULTIMATE good? Gandalf makes it clear that their own "goodness" is limited to the years wherein they are set. At the end of The Lord of The Rings, the future yet belongs to the good AND the evil that lie beyond the powers of any of the characters that have played a part in the present conflict. Maybe we are supposed to wonder... who IS the Lord of the rings? Almost 50 years ago C.S. Lewis, a friend of Tolkien's, said of The Lord of The Rings: "Such a book has of course its predestined readers, even now more numerous and more critical than is always realised. To them a reviewer need say little, except that here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron; here is a book that will break your heart." And I too, could go on forever about it, but my best suggestion is for you to quit reading this, and just read the book. Or re-read it! The best review would be terribly inadequate. Tolkien's Middle-Earth is as impossible to imagine before you go there as it is to forget about once you've been.
Rating:
Summary: BEST FANTASY OF ALL TIME!
Review: The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings series HAS to be the best fantasy series of all time. In fact, many, many fantasy writers model their work after Tolkien's masterpiece. As far as I'm concerned, Tolkien is a genius. He managed to create a whole nother world complete with new creatures like orcs and hobbits and he totally revolutionized how we think about typical creatures of myth such as elves and dwarves. I mean, who would think that elves could be tall? Heck, Tolkien even came up with a new fully functional language (elvish). You will fall in love with the characters and the book has everything--action, adventure, romance, comedy, drama. I am absolutely FASCINATED by these books and how Tolkien managed to create such an amazing world. I definitely look up to him! I would recommend waiting until you're older than 16 to read the books so you will be able to fully understand them. But I definitely recommend these books to anyone!! And if you haven't read Tolkien, you're not a fantasy fan!! If you are open minded and looking for those books begging for its pages to be turned...look no further. I just read a copy of Edgar Fouche's 'Alien Rapture,' which also blew me away. Fouche was a Top Secret Black Program 'insider', whose credibility has been verified over and over. Another fun book is Brad Steiger's 'Werewolf.' I also really liked Dan Brown's 'Deception Point,; and 'Angels and Demons.' Want to be shocked, check out Dr. Paul Hill's 'Unconventional Flying Objects' which NASA tried to ban, and always read the Amazon reviews.
Rating:
Summary: A tale of utmost glory and utter excelence!
Review: There are many fantasies circulating the world's bookstores today. The Chronicles of Narnia, Redwall, the Dragon Lance Chronicles, and Harry Potter are just some. But none of these can even begin to compare with the Lord of the Rings. From the Shire to Mordor Tolkien takes you on a quest that isn't easily forgotten. The many characters include Frodo Baggins, Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn, and many others. I suggest you read the Hobbit first, to familiarize yourself with Middle-Earth.
I guess I should tell you the story in a brief summation. The Hobbit tells the tale of Bilbo Baggins in his adventure to the Lonely Mountain and Smaug the Dragon. On his travels he picks up a ring of extreme importance from a ghostly creature called Gollum. This ring is the subject of the three chronicles of the Lord of the Rings. Frodo, Bilbo's nephew, has the task of bearing the ring on a painstaking journey to Mordor, a terrifying land ruled by Sauron (The Dark Lord). On their trip, Frodo and his servant encounter many things. They form the Fellowship of the Ring, see the Two Towers, and witness the Return of the King amidst a struggle to achieve a very undesirable goal.
But such treasures should be discovered by the reader alone, not given to him/her. I recommend buying it and reading it over and over. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Lord of the Rings...Just Read it!
Review: I'm an avid fan of the entire fantasy/SF genre of fiction, and so I have a wealth of titles to compare to this book. I can honestly say that this work is one of the best, if not THE best book of that genre EVER published. Tolkien's magnum opus is a true tour-de-force of modern fiction that is like no other. He took the stories and ideals of European religion, from Celtic and Teutonic paganism to modern Christianity, and added elements of the Icelandic and Nordic sagas, folklore, and Medieval romances to create an entire world. The man created an entire language by himself! Tolkien had an imagination unlike any other. Perhaps the defining statement of these books is that they are influential on virtually every fantasy novel to follow. I'm surprised it took people this long to consider it for motion pictures. I read this about seven years ago, when I was in fourth grade. I've read these books four times since then,and each time it only gets better. "Lord of the Rings" is definitely best enjoyed by multiple readings. I suggest that you try to pay close attention the entire way through, otherwise you can become lost. Each time you read, different facets of the story become apparent. It is can be looked upon as an excellent adventure story, but it can also be seen as a moral allegory, a look at "elf-lore", or as a possible look at the development of language. Obviously, LoTR is not for everyone, but any fan of fantasy must read it to be considered a fan. So if you enjoy literature of that form, this is a must read. Plus, its a great read for anyone who has an imagination.
Rating:
Summary: 100 STARS!!! Tolkien is a GENIUS in the truest sense!
Review: I have read a LOT of books in the more than 25 years I've been reading, but no book or book series, except perhaps for the Bible, has ever moved, inspired, delighted, and astonished me as much as Tolkien's books did. This is English literature at its VERY BEST! He marches in the same rank as Shakespeare, in my estimation. It is evident that George Lucas got some of his inspiration from The Lord of the Rings in making the Star Wars trilogy! A classic for all time! A masterpiece! A joy to read over and over and over. (I have read it cover to cover at least five times.) I expect this book series to still be selling well throughout the galactic sector a thousand years from now. I am awestruck at Tolkien's literary abilities. He was a scholar of the highest order. Not only did he give us a classic plot elaborated by a pleasing descriptive narrative that borders on the poetic, but he gave us a new world of his own imaginative creation that a lot of us in the real world would like to migrate to. To have been able to write all those poems in the book, in different styles and moods and themes (like they were written by different authors), to have been able to invent several plausible languages for the different races of creatures of his books, to have been able to keep us readers enthralled and engrossed throughout the series, all these bespeak of a REAL MASTER of the written word. He practically invented a whole mythology on his own! His vision is as grand as, if not grander than, Milton's Paradise Lost. His depiction of Good vs. Evil, the origins of the world, the interactions between gods, elves, sorcerers, sprits, monsters, men, hobbits, and orcs, all seem to me not just fruits of fancy but parables and lessons and reminders of the subversive workings of evil and the subtle but ultimate triumph of goodness. If you get past the Lord of the Rings and get on to the Silmarillion, you will realize how truly awesome the breadth and depth, the grandeur and sublimity, J.R.R. Tolkien's ringing triumph of a creation really is! I can sincerely say that the world is a much more interesting place because Frodo and Samwise, Gandalf, Aragorn, Merry and Pippin, and yes, Sauron, lives in the pages of these books. They will live on in the memories of our descendants. Those who do not appreciate Tolkien's work, because it is too long, or too descriptive, or too slow paced, are perhaps too addicted to the fast pace of TV shows and movies. Or perhaps their brain cells need some exercise for lack of use. This is not some abstract painting that needs some pretentious education in order to appreciate! Even people in the early teens love Tolkien's work. Simply speaking, it's a great story, written in a manner that is a joy to read and absorb.
Rating:
Summary: This is the most in-depth and complete fantasy of all time.
Review: I am 15 years old, and have read the hobbit
twice and LOTR 3 times (I plan quite a few more).
Tolkien masterfully weaves all the elements of epic fantasy, leaving you seriously wondering if the whole story is or isn't factual.
By creating all the elements of a world, including many races of people, both human and non, elves, dwarves, orcs, etc. Tolkien includes an element of truth and realism in his stories. He has included an alphabet, a rune system, several languages of his own devising, a mythological background and religious beliefs, and every sort of creature you could imagine. And that is just the stage on which he sets his epic!
The story is the reading experience of a lifetime! With extrememly dynamic characters, and a plot filled with suspense, it is the ultimate battle of good against Ultimate evil and a reign of terror that would end all happiness and peace in the world.
I have found myself interested enough to learn his alphabet, the Tengwar, and read the ENTIRE appendices in LOTR. Anf Im still hungry for more. Whether or not you like fantasy, I recommend this book! READ THIS BOOK IT WILL CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE!
Rating: 
Summary: Lord of the Rings & Hobbit [Abridged Box Set Audio Books]
Review: Sadly for me, I was unable to find any reviews on this particular audio performance of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit from Penguin Audiobooks. Even sadder, when I placed my order, the word ABRIDGED did not appear in the product description. If you love these books or any great, epic tales and are over the age of 12, then this audio performance is NOT FOR YOU. Cease reading my review, and move on to another version of these absolutely essential works by Mr. Tolkien. And now, for parents: If you are looking for an engaging introduction to Tolkien for a child, read on and do consider this set. Although I personally prefer the unabridged CD's read by that wonderful actor with the rich voice, I can see where many children will be more engaged by this version of the series. In this version, the stories are acted out by a cast of characters, rather than being read straight through by one person. Some of the voices are quite amusing, and the story and language is laid out more simply. Most of the poetry is ommitted, and when the actors are called upon to sing, it is mercifully brief. (Who would have thought that the River Daughter would be tone deaf and ditsy? It's sacrilege, LOL!). Nuances of relationships and culture, the horror and gore of battle, the depths of despair at the ending of a world... these may be a little too far to go for some children. And for them, I can recommend this version. It will be JUST THE THING to pop in the CD player on a very long car ride. You will get less than half of the usual, "are we there yets?" Many people shopping for children may feel hesitant at the price... but know that you are getting a large number of hours, it's a very big set. A warning for die-hard fans: This is just my personal opinion, but I would prefer that Aragorn NOT sound like a cross between an American James Bond and Captain James T. Kirk! And I don't know what Island of Misfit Toys they scoured to get the Rudolph sound-alike they used for Samwise Gamgee, but I can tell you I do not approve. Bombadil and his wife are a serious disgrace. Did the casting director never read these books?
Rating: 
Summary: Not very good.
Review: I know that by writing this I will probably draw the wrath of a lot of die-hard fans. I have read many of the reviews and I do respect the opinions of most of the people that adore this series. However, a handful of the positive reviews listed on this site were undoubtedly written by overweight, sarcastic, "intellectuals" who spent their youth playing "Dungeons and Dragons", watching "Star Trek" and "Dr. Who" and dreaming that some day a woman might actually look at them..... but back to my review. The first book in the series "The Hobbit" is actually quite good. The characters are likeable, the adventure is interesting and the writing flows and is well paced. I liked the dragon much better than Sauron. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the LOTR's trilogy. I noticed immediately from the beginning of FOTR that the writing style, which in "The Hobbit" was straightforward and unpretentious, became bloated and longwinded. As far as the trilogy goes....FOTR is easily the best in the series, though I felt it could have been cut by 100 pages. The basic idea is quite compelling and in the beginning I was intrigued. But as the pages went on I realized that Tolkien obviously was very full of himself and his Middle-Earth. Obviously one must have patience to allow a writer time to describe the world that his characters live in. However this entire trilogy is a study in WRETCHED EXCESS.
Page after page Tolkien endlessly describes, valleys, hills, mountains, knolls, forests, trees, rivers, lakes, cliffs, rocks, etc. etc. etc. And when he isn't hitting us over the head with the landscape every other minute, he gives us ENDLESS stories of Middle-Earth's legends, myths, history, tales, and poems. This didn't bother me all that much in the FOTR as I felt that he was not only telling Frodo and Gandalf's story but setting the stage for the next novels as well.
However upon reading "The Two Towers" I realized that I was in trouble. Once again Tolkien was compelled to RELENTLESSLY describe.... valleys, hills, mountains, knolls, forests, trees, rivers, lakes, cliffs, rocks, etc. etc. etc. At times I felt that he was so wrapped up in creating a travelogue for Middle-Earth that he forgot that he was supposed to be telling a story. I liked the characters of Frodo, Sam and Gandalf (and Bilbo in "The Hobbit") However most of the remaining characters I found to be rather boring, as they tediously hold out their swords and talked of more legends, myths, history, tales, and poems. The last half of "The Two Towers" was especially excruciating to endure, as was "Return of the King" . For me it became an ordeal to even finish these books much less recommend them to someone else. Again I felt the basic premise of this trilogy was outstanding. I had only wished it had been delivered in a way that was a bit more energetic and alive. Some of the fans of this series will have to accept that there is a large group of people who do not like these books. And they are not simply idiots who never have the patience to read a few sentences. They are well-read people who just were bogged down by a bloated 1000 page trilogy that should have been half that length.
Rating:
Summary: *yawn*
Review: I can't believe these books are so popular, they are so boring. I couldn't read more then a few chapters at a time without getting sleepy at first, though it did get a bit better later. The history is hard to remember, so I become confused. And the characterisation is completely flat: All the good guys are perfect, powerful, and noble, yet the only one I liked was Sam. The elves are especially perfect-they're all immortal and beautiful. And all the bad guys are powerful and evil. This book was very boring and I could barely get through the first two books (the Hobbit was the most readable, it was more exciting) but I give it an extra star because it's impressive that JRRT could make all that up. And as for those people that think that because darkness represents evil and white represents goodness, JRRT is racist? That's ridiculous, darkness has meant evil for the last thousand years. Not to mention JRRT grew up before Civil Rights, so even if it was racist it's nothing special (it's not good, obviously, if it's racist, but I don't think it is.)
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