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Summary: Tolkien's universe--unsurpassed masterpiece of fantasy
Review: It is not necessary to understand exactly what Tolkien did to read The Lord of the Rings. A reader does not need to know that Tolkien used his knowledge of the history of the English language to create a language and alphabet of his own to enjoy this epic. You don't even need to realize that many of the themes and mythology of The Lord of the Rings is directly related to the lore of ancient England, legends going back before the written word. You don't need to realize the massive complexity of Middle Earth's mythology--how passing references to the past amount to a much bigger picture to be told another time, much as a small reference to Oddyseus brings up the Odyssey and the Iliad, which in themselves contain the seeds of even larger past myths. No, only a tasting of the effects of Tolkien's efforts are required to read his epic masterpiece.
To enjoy Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, all you need to do is look at the characters, the completeness of his universe--with history, mythology, conflict. This is no simple fantasy novel, this is a rich, dynamic world, filled with real characters and fascinating, diverse locals.
Tolkien was not just a master creator of worlds and professor, he was also a storyteller to whom few compare. The Lord of the Rings starts out in the simple fairy-tale style of the Hobbit. Even when Gandalf tells Frodo of the dangers Middle Earth is facing, we don't truely get a feel for it. Tolkien's talent comes out when we realize we are gradually becoming aware of Sauron's threat just as the characters are. The Black Riders at first seem just a mysterious, though deadly, hindrance, and their true demonic nature only is revealed with time. For Tolkien to accurately convey the growing sense of dread as he does, THAT is the mark of a writer who will be remembered for many generations.
Enough of that; The Lord of the Rings is a classic, one of the great books of the English-speaking world. If you haven't read it, well I feel for you, man. I'd buy you a copy myself if it wasn't avaible in every library in the country.
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Summary: GREATEST OF ALL....
Review: Actually, the book should have 10 out of 5 stars!!!
The lord of the rings is easily the greatest story of all time. It is written by the master of fantasy JRR TOLKEIN, and no one can come close to him. Any other fantasy story cant compare to LOTR because tolkein took all of the good ideas! For instance, if you read the Wheel of time series sounds just like a ... spinoff of LOTR. Also, Tolkein's books are better because he wanted to tell a GOOD story, not sell books.
If you havent read the LOTR series, then you had better read it before the ne movie comes out, so it doesnt give you any misconceptions.
If you liked the LOTR series, then i also suggest reading the SWORD OF TRUTH series.
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Summary: Poor Quality
Review: The story itself if great, possibly the best I have ever read. The only problem I have is with the quality of the book. The books itself is small and hard to hold. The covers, along with the box cover, was made poorly.
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Summary: A beautiful collector's piece
Review: I've been an avid fan of J. R. R. Tolkien for a long time. I was first enchanted by The Hobbit as a young boy, then awed by The Lord of the Rings as a teenager, and more recently enriched as an adult by the Silmarillion and other works related closely to it. Tolkien's majestic Lord of the Rings, with its lavish description and timeless characters, stirs the blood and keeps in mind the value of character, courage, valor, and friendship. And I am continually reminded of the enormous impact that the very smallest or seemingly insignificant of things (such as a ring) or that the most unlikely of people (such as a hobbit) might have on the world.For the truly discerning collector, this edition may appear to be substandard or cheaply made. I do agree on some points - I would have preferred something more weighty and made of higher quality material. But for me, this edition isn't to be read. I have two well-loved paperback sets for the joyful task of re-reading this series. As a collector's item, I find this a worthwhile investment. Better, fancier or more vintage pieces will definitely come with a higher price tag. I've worked at building a menagerie of Tolkien collectables, and that assembly is only getting larger as I find the time and finances. This piece, although in direct contrast to the early edition prints for which I normally search, is impressive. It is a handsome return to the original concept for the series, being in its intended 6 volume plus appendices format. It was that element which made it necessary for me. This is an fine show piece for any Tolkien collector who desires a nice mix of the best of the old and the new.
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Summary: I'm just a plain ordinary teenager
Review: I can't really explain the immense enjoyment that i got from reading the Lord of the Rings. I was reading during a very rough time, and it was a great help for me to get my mind off things. Tolkein's stories are fascinating, and i can't use any big words like most people here, but all i can say is that this novel is held close to my heart, and i imagine showing my children and grandchildren the wonders held in this book, when i have them. The only thing i have to say about the 7 set black books is that for me, a school student, it was very easy to travel with. But, the box that they come in broke after a month. I would not buy this set unless you planned on leaving the box at home in it's own place. The books are lovely only for the use of traveling with them and the book doesn't seem so overwhelmingly long with it broken up smaller, so it all depends on you really. If you don't buy this set, at least buy some kind of set, I'd rather live with this set then nothing, for this is the greatest book i have and probably will ever read. I was so sad for days after i finished the last page, and i couldn't figure out why. I thought and thought, and it was because i had finished it, it was that good. I had made a routine of reading it during class, after tests, even during PE. I couldn't keep my eyes off of it. You really get attached to Gandalf, and Frodo, even little Pippin grew on me. Please consider buying some kind of set of this book, you won't regret it.
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Summary: Excellent world building....pity about the execution
Review: I have attempted to read the 1st book in this trilogy on about 5 occasions over the past 15 years and I never get beyond the Council of Elrond before I yet again find the whole thing too boring to continue. I loved The Hobbit and admire Tolkiens vivid imagination, but his style of writing in LOTR is just too "early 20th century british" for my liking. I have the same problem with Dickens that I do with Tolkien; ponderous prose! I guess I've been spoiled by many of the excellent sci-fi/fanatsy authors (i.e. George R R Martin) that write edge of the seat, gripping & fascinating stories. Unfortunately, in LOTR, Tolkien's ability to tell an interesting tale seems to have taken a backseat to his world building.
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Summary: The Best Ever!
Review: This is THE standard set by J.R.R. Tolkien against which all fantasy novels and stories are measured! There simply is no other way to put it.
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Summary: The 'Millenium Edition' is the definitive edition.
Review: I found this 'Millenium' version of the (now misnamed) 'Trilogy' before I had heard about the coming movie. Being a Tolkien fan, I immediatly snatched it up. This is, by far, the best edition ever published. From the plain black covers with the Eye of Sauron symbol, to the seperation into the original six volumes (plus index,) this edition is a must-have for Tolkien fans. This edition includes the SIX-volume series ("The Ring Sets Out" and "The Ring Goes South" making up what is normally called "Fellowship of the Ring", "The Treason at Isengard" and "The Ring Goes East" being "The Two Towers", and "The War of the Ring" and "The End of the Third Age" being "Return of the King") and a complete index. I own the HarperCollins published British edition, which includes an amazing CD of Tolkien himself reading passages from the books before they were published. (Including a haunting reading of the famous 'One Ring to rule them' passage, as well as some passages that were changed before the first printing.) All in all, a must have.
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Summary: inspirational
Review: An absoulte must read series. Great for young and old alike. Amazing and awe inspiring.
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Summary: A Great Journey
Review: A great story from begining to end. From the Shire to Mordor and back. Frodo, Samwise, Merry and Pippin take you on an adventure to destroy the ONE RING. I recommend this book to any fantasy reader. If you haven't read "The Hobbit", I would recommend you read it before this to know the story of how the ring came into the Hobbit's possesion.
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