Rating: 
Summary: A Great Read
Review: This book will suit either confirmed fans of The Lord of The Rings or the newcomer. A greater way to be introduced to Middle Earth. If you've got kids this would be the best introduction for them.
Rating:
Summary: The Best!
Review: I've only read the Lord of the Rings, but it's fabulous! I absolutely loved it! I also saw the movie and it was incredible! I definitely recommend seeing the movie and reading the book! The LOTR movie is better than the Harry Potter movie by far. It was a graceful turn from a book to movie! If you love the LOTR book, then you'll love the movie!
Rating:
Summary: Tolkien: The Benchmark
Review: The One Ring, the Ring of Power, which will deliver to its maker Sauron the power to rule the world, and unmake all that is fair and good, a quest by nine individuals (4 Hobbits, 2 men, a Dwarf, an Elf, and a Wizard) to destroy that Ring and to save the world for ordinary folk, treachery, unlooked-for friends, great battles, small triumphs, and unimagined sacrifice are all in the tapestry woven by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings.
Ever since the trilogy appeared in the 1950's, it has been the standard against which each succeeding fantasy author has been measured. Some have come close, but none have reached the richness of the descriptions, the lushness of the prose, the charm of the poetry, or the ingenuity of the languages and alphabets that gave to Tolkien's work depths and dimensions hitherto unknown.
The concept of an ordinary man pushed into difficulty and hardship, and his finding the strength to cope with them, is one that echoes every person's life. Watching the Hobbits face their trials and overcome them plucks a heartstring deep in the soul of each reader. Good and Evil do exist, however one may define them, and the business of life is to choose the Good, and defy the Evil, and, in the end, after great travails, one may see the Good prevail.
The Quest, the Reluctant Hero, the Exiled King, the Wise Mentor, The Faithful Servant/Companion, and the rest of the Fellowship are archetypes. They are a literary shorthand for a character, and the entire sheaf of actions, reactions, and emotions of that character are familiar to the reader. Tolkien then takes these stereotypes and makes of them real people with whom we share fear, joy, desperation, hope, and sheer stubborn determination not to give in and let Evil win. When we close the book, having seen Frodo, too sorely wounded to enjoy the peace he has guaranteed to everyone else, leave his beloved home to seek healing with the Elves in the West, a sob threatens, a tear blurs the last words, and a deep identification with these figments of the species' imagination holds us enthralled untill the next time we open the book to attend "A Long Expected Party."
Rating:
Summary: A Timeless Classic, Richly Textured, Masterfully Written
Review: These are marvelous stories, both THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS (the latter known by separate titles: "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers", and "The Return of the King". Truly, these are masterpieces of modern literature.In recent weeks, the release of the "The Fellowship of the Ring," to theaters across the country has spurred interest once again in this magnificent book, long a favorite of many of us aging baby-boomers. The richness of the film has resulted in immediate interest in the books by countless delighted readers, while encouraging devotees to dust off (or replace) their dog-eared, fading copies from basement boxes or attic bookshelves. For those who look upon this as a simple fantasy with elves, wizards, dwarves, goblins (a/k/a orcs)and of course hobbits, they miss the greatest part of the story. Tolkien has fashioned a timeless tale of humanity within a world of his own creation. THE HOBBIT, the first part of this great adventure, is a prequel to the main work. It is written in a more simplistic style which engages the reader (especially the younger reader) in preparation for the more complex LORD OF THE RINGS - truly an epic in the best Homeric tradition. Disparaged initially by some critics who found Tolkien's use of imaginary beings, LOTR is a major contribution to world literature, a story which will survive for many many generations. Richly detailed, the book evokes simple themes of bravery, good versus evil, love, magic, wonder and loss while treating the characters not as simple fantasy stereotypes, but as complex individuals worthy of serious consideration. The struggle of good and evil, temptation, fall and ultimate redemption is presented marvelously throughout the four volumes. Rooted in academic tradition (Tolkien actually created realistic, legitimate languages as well as separate mythologies), THE HOBBIT and LOTR take the reader to a very real, richly detailed world, similar, yet unique to our own.
Rating: 
Summary: Capturing story with a lack of female
Review: Tolkien is before his time with this enormous fairy tale story. 'The hobbit' in itself I enjoyed as a stand alone story because it was funny and careless but thrilling and capturing at the same time. The next book is somewhat more heavy to start off with but as soon as you have passed through the introductory pages then the story takes you along even further into this world of imaginative creatures that is very much alive and sucks you in until the very last page of the last book of the series. The one thing that annoys me is the absence of women in the stories - with one or two exeptions, every character in the story is male. This is I guess what you would expect from a story this old but it is still a disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: Take Me To Middle Earth
Review: I really didn't need to see the blockbuster hit movie, to visit Middle Earth. I've seen it every time I opened and read all four books including The Hobbit, since 1968. They are so vividly written, you can't help but to see it all, clearly. And I was one of those "Tolkien Geeks" at the front of the line, for the movie.
The hippy generatiion, in the 60's became "the new awakening" for these little treasures. My first experience with the species of Hobbits came as a reading assignment in my Junior High School. I was hard pressed to replace the images of The Shire, Hobbits, Elves, and that gruesome Bulrog.
Finally, I requested all four books for a Christmas present in the later in the 1980's, and was gleefully surprised to get them. The idea of it becoming an epic movie, in my mind was shortly after completeing the trilogy (the first time, as I read them every year, starting a Christmas). Being an Artist, I've drawn them several times, also.
I've had a "secret pleasure" smile, plastered on my face for over a year, knowing what a fantastically, entertaining series of epic movies, would grace our theaters, worldwide.
The movie insists (and I believe) that, The Shire, the Prancing Pony and the Misty Mountains are but a few patches of land away... but you won't find them, at least not without a map. Well, if you have any one of the books, you'll have your maps and I am on my way to buy my first property, in Middle Earth this spring. (BIG SMILE) IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, for the rest of the year, (until the next movie, due next Xmas)see this movie. You will live again.
Rating:
Summary: Greatst Trilogy of All Time
Review: These books have really brought me into the whole realm of fantasy and magic and all that good stuff. I am 15 years old and thought I was too mature for all this stuff. I went to go see the Lord of the Rings movie with my little brother and thought that it was the best thing I had ever seen. I immediately went out and bought The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I am happy to say I am finished with the Hobbit and the first book and can't wait to read the others. What a great author.
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING FOR PRETEEN & ADULTS READERS!
Review: I read the Hobbit as an 11 year old enjoying the adventure of Bilbo Baggins immensely. I gave this book to my (now) 11 year-old son, as well. Together we are reading The Lord of the Rings and enjoying the series tremendously! This series is a wonderful way to encourage the young mind to enter into the world of reading, stimulating imagination in both a positive and academic ways. As each chapter unfolded, my 11 year-old became more and more excited, verbalizing the adventure to me every opportunity he had. This is not his usual communication style, so naturally I am thrilled! I encourage parents to purchase these books for their children as a means of bonding and stimulating the joy of reading.
Rating:
Summary: No Finer Work of Fiction
Review: My sister gave me "The Hobbit" over 20 years ago and I fell in love with the writings of Mr. Tolkien. "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" carry you away to another world and keep you there. Wonderful books, great fiction, excellent writing!
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Summary: Frodo, Bilbo beat Harry
Review: Time will tell if Harry Potter can claim to be a literary classic and a fantasy masterwork. Bilbo Baggins has that stature, though he be but a small hobbit. As small as hobbits may be, "The Lord of the Rings" ranks supremely as being some of the finest, well-written fiction to be produced in the English language. In "The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings," you'll get it all (and save a few bucks in the process!). Tolkien's delicious use of written diction and depth of storyline is why his famous hobbit enjoys the lengthy stay in libraries that he has. Compare it to other great trilogies and tales, from "Alice in Wonderland" to CS Lewis' "Narnia" trilogy. A lot of poorly written novels litter our library shelves, but shining is "The Lord of the Rings." Tolkien used his vast understanding of archetypes, ancient storytelling, and the body of fiction. He took years to write these tales, laboring over ever tiny phrase... as opposed to cranking them out within months. He didn't write for the marketplace, but the marketplace loves him. I fully recommend "The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings." A great deal for some great books by a great writer. Thinking about Bilbo now... some eggs and bacon would taste good just about now (read "The Hobbit" and you'll know the reference). Anthony Trendl
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