Rating: 
Summary: Bilbo Baggins
Review: I love the Hobbit. I like it better then the Lord of the Rings, I can say that without any problem.
I first read this in my Freshmen year of high school and have loved it ever since. It is one of my first fantasy novels and I recommend it to any one who has ever doubted fantasy novels.
If you have seen the Lord of the Rings and are curious as to why Bilbo is so important. Then you really do need to read this book to understand his back story.
It has well driven characters and it really rounds out Bilbo's character, and why he is considered strange to his family, and others around him. This book is really worth the time to read and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Collectors Beware
Review: Ok so the world is a big place and it's full of strange people but I am surprised that anyone could be very impressed with the "Leatherette" editions of LOTR and The Hobbit. These editions are not ones I can imagine any discerning collector would want to own.I bought the two books because I am not a fan of Alan Lee's work and I couldn't find any other current hardback editions that used Tolkien's original drawings, (as the "Leatherette" Hobbit does). The truth is though that these are the most tacky and tasteless editions I've seen and the print and paper quality of both books is very poor. The colouring of the drawings in The Hobbit is a disgrace and numerous pages in my copy of the LOTR were so smudged they were unreadable. Don't buy them if you haven't already and if you've already made the mistake send them back with a complaint and write a scathing review to try and save someone else the trouble.
Rating:
Summary: Collectors Beware
Review: Ok so the world is a big place and it's full of strange people but I am surprised that anyone could be very impressed with the "Leatherette" editions of LOTR and The Hobbit. These particular editions are not ones I can imagine any discerning collector would want to own. I bought the two books because I am not a fan of Alan Lee's work and I couldn't find any other current hardback editions that used Tolkien's original drawings, (as the "Leatherette" Hobbit does). The truth is though that these are the most tacky and tasteless editions I've seen and the print and paper quality of both books is very poor. The colouring of the drawings in The Hobbit is a disgrace and numerous pages in my copy of the LOTR were so smudged they were unreadable. Don't buy them if you haven't already and if you've already made the mistake send them back with a complaint and write a scathing review to try and save someone else the trouble.
Rating:
Summary: Prequel to Lord of the Rings
Review: Professor JRR Tolkien had made his mark as an authority on Anglo-Saxon language and mythology, by the time he wrote The Hobbit, in 1937, but the novel was his first great literary success, and of course what introduced many to it's majestic sequel, The Lord of the Rings.
65 years later, it still enthralls millions of readers, both young and old. It is a wonderful story to captivate readers aged 10 to 110. It has inspired much creative work, including the theme of a popular computer game during the 1980's. In essence Tolkien was the father of the Sword and Sorcery genre of literature, which has provided the material for so many successful novels, movies and games.
Lighter in tone than the Lord of the Rings, it nevertheless contains many references to things deeper and darker than on the surface, such as Gondolin, the last White Council, the Necromancer, and the ring. The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion provide a deeper journey into Tolkien's Middle Earth. But younger readers can also enjoy it, for it's own benefit. I first read the book, when I was twelve. It wet my appetite for all things Tolkien and led me to then read the Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. The Hobbit is the story of the adventure of Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit of the green and pleasant country of the Shire, recruited by the wizard Gandalf and a company of Dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield, to wrest the Dwarves inheritance from the Dragon Smaug under the Lonely Mountain. The company must first battle Trolls , Goblins , Wolves , and Giant Spiders , and comes into contact with Elves , Eagles , Men and other inhabitants of Tolkien's wonderful world.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay for normal readers, great for fantsay lovers
Review: I have just read the book and I am a fantasy lover, so to me, the book was great.
The only reason I rated this book 4 stars is for the longing of wanting to finish the book and the fact that at one point elves are bad.
The book is great though, if you do not prefer fantasy stories, this might not be on your top five list.
If I could change the story, I woud have prevented the death of a certain person in the book. (I am not going to tell you who or anything else about the book)
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Summary: The best book on my shelves from looks to story
Review: I got it on Christmas, and it took me about a week to read it, I've read the story twice, and I still love showing off its snazzy cover and maps. The story made me feel like I was really there, and the cover made it seem like the book was from that time and age. There is not a flaw in it, and I can only say that it is a superb buy for the dedicated reader.
Rating:
Summary: Read if you are considering the world of The Hobbit
Review: I approached The Hobbit at the age of 25. Never having read anything by Tolkien and being recently uninspired by the overrated trilogy, I decided to read for myself--what's the big deal here? The Hobbit is not a comfort book for me. Since I didn't read it as a child, I don't have fond memories to draw me back. I can, however, somewhat empathize with those who do read and re-read this charming tale. The Hobbit takes the reader on a trip over wide landscapes, mostly from the perspective of a gentle nobody, Bilbo Baggins. Tolkien works hard to reveal characters as different types of people. Hobbits, Dwarves, Wizards, Dragons, Trolls, Goblins, Eagles, Wolves, Elves, Spiders, and Humans all represent some type of human condition. The young reader of The Hobbit will not realize that he or she is quite possibly being exposed to every type of person he or she will ever meet. Let us thank Tolkien. Tolkien gives the same breadth to the landscapes of adjacent but strange lands and the inhabitants therein. The land fits into Tolkien's environmentalist sensibility very pointedly. That is, this isn't a purely fantastical story--neither is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy--and that's what makes Tolkien's work so wonderful. Like C.S. Lewis--they were friends, in fact--Tolkien is able to pour morality, politics, philosophy, and spirituality into his works without mocking or tricking the reader. If you have not read The Hobbit, please do. You'll enjoy the trip.
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Summary: The Hobbit HOOWAA
Review: The legendary book The Hobbit is well known through out the US . I would recomend this book to all who enjoy a good adventure. This easy read tells the story of a hobbit and forteen dwarven companions. Young Bilbo Baggins a quiet and peacefull creature by nature challanged by ruthless goblens, and vicious dragons proves his courage. Questing for the stolen dwarven wealth this book will have you cheering on Bilbo Baggins. This book is loads of fun. JRR. Tolkien not just a master of languages but a master of the written word.
Reading this book made me think I was there. Either in the mountains with goblins, or in the caves with the great Smauge the dragon. These books are always a classic to read and one of my favorites. The copywrite date is 1937 but the newest copy is the best.
This classic book is a wonderful adventure story. Thrilling and always exciting for the reader. I would reccomend this easy to read book to all ages. So you will need to read it to find out more!
Rating:
Summary: The Hobbit: A Great Read For Any Age.
Review: Garrett Hanson
Mr. Fiske's
Honors English
The Hobbit Review The Hobbit was J.R.R. Tolkien's first claim to fame, but it is better known as the precursor to the famed Lord of the Rings series. It is a story of struggles, adventures, and unlikely heroes in a land called "Middle Earth". Hobbits do not like adventures, as the famed Bilbo Baggins once said of adventures, "Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!" With the help of the far more important, but less noted wizard Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins (the hobbit) does in fact set out upon an adventure with thirteen Dwarves to return to Lonely Mountain and regain their treasure, in so defeating the cruel dragon, Smaug. They out wit orcs and goblins, battle spiders and evade elves, Bilbo finds the Ring, yes the Ring, and out riddles the morose Gollum to keep it. They achieve many things, making many friends and even more enemies before reaching old Smaug and the Lonely Mountain, and still they know not what to do about it's treachery. The Hobbit was definitely not a stroke of genius, but a work of genius after years and years of writing lore on goblins, elves, dragons, dwarves, and such, such is all the great things you may have or may yet come to love in Tolkien's writing. The Hobbit however, is a first in Tolkiens lore, and The Hobbit was the first taste of Tolkien much of the world got. Although over shadowed my the trilogy of the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is important in understanding Middle Earth, and it does it in a fun way. It is something you could teach you kids to read with, while still enjoying it yourself. The Hobbit was originally intended to be a before bedtime kids book, and it sends a very potent message to it's intended victim...it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, or how big you are, even the smallest can change the world. To more extent, hopefully we are, in the end, better off, but that is a matter of opinion, for greed is the bleeder of wealth, and happiness can be found in small things, even after big adventures. I did find Tolkien's style rather youthful and informative allowing me to see far in advance the come of events...nonetheless he did an excellent job in portraying the turn of events that was and is The Hobbit. His imagery and imagination are unrivalled, yes, even to those of us who saw the movie first. For those of you who don't like Old English, don't worry, it's hardly used in The Hobbit. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the Lord of the Rings, or simple wants a good book to read to the young ones before the lights are turned out. Further more I expect you'll get hooked on Middle Earth, so I suggest finding a copy of the Lord of the Rings, because lets face it, for those of us with an imagination, the books are way better.
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Summary: My Book Review
Review: The Hobbit.J.R.R.Tolkien.United States- New York.Ballantine Books.1937, 1938, and 1966.287 pages. My attention was grabbed, my mind was stretched, and my thoughts were taken to amazing enchanting places. Reading "The Hobbit" was not only and intriguing experience, but kept me wanting more and more. When a timid, respectable creature called a hobbit is talked into going on a wild, dangerous quest by a wizard by the name of Gandalf, Bilbo's cozy, quiet lifestyle is drastically changed. J.R.R. Tolkien is an incredible story teller, and his studies of ancient languages and his life in Britain influenced and enhanced the ideas and characters in the book. The fictional land of Middle-Earth in which the story takes place is magical and sometimes evil. Bilbo Baggins leaves the comfortable, beautiful shire to embark on a journey in the midst of danger and evil, and along the way he is transformed into a hero.
By the author showing Bilbo's development into a hero, he proves that ordinary people can overcome obstacles and also develop into heroes. Bilbo started off as a weakling. He was surrounded by luxury and a wide array of foods, but after he got over the shocking news, he accepted Gandalf's request for him to be the "burglar" of the quest, and from then on he got increasingly courageous. By the end of the journey, he had accomplished so much. He had confronted the trolls, escaped from Gollum and stolen his ring, slaying a giant spider, rescuing the dwarves from Mirkwood, and even coming face to face with a treacherous, gold-stealing dragon named Smaug. All of these things molded him into a hero, not to mention helping the dwarves regain their stolen wealth, and making the area surrounding Lonely Mountain safe again.
When the author wrote this book, he was looking past its enchanting tale to the trilogy to come known as "The Lord of the Rings." This book is the solid foundation of which all of those books follow. This book really emphasizes the character development of the main character, Bilbo. It is interesting the way the author created the creatures of middle earth in that all hobbits are good, but all goblins are evil, and the personality of someone differed according to their family. Bilbo Baggins is heir to the Tooks, who are more adventurous, and the Baggins's, who are very respectable and would never take part in such radical happenings. Throughout the story he sometimes switches back and forth between each family's point of view, but for him to reach his full potential he must be like the Tooks so he can be courageous and unafraid to partake in the great quest for the dwarves stolen gold. In the book I also noticed that there is a constant struggle between good and evil. The magic ring that Bilbo acquires from a hideous creature named Gollum in the darkness of a deep tunneling cave, affects him in a powerful way. The ring he found allows him to disappear instantly when he puts it on his finger. Although he thinks this is very useful, the ring is evil and Bilbo becomes addicted to it and always keeps it with him.
"The Hobbit" is a good, original read, but it obviously lacks realism because of it's out of this world setting and characters. That's not so bad though because it is fun reading about something that is completely made up, so you can leave your present state of mind and just relax and enjoy the book. J.R.R. Tolkien had a very smart way of writing which is shown in the elaborate details he put into each creature and the way he made everything come together in a complete way at the end but at the same time made you want to read "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. I did not detect any flaws in the plot, but then again I wasn't really looking for them because I was so caught up in the story. I have never read a book that has a similar subject as "The Hobbit" because it is so unique, so it makes it difficult to compare it to other books in that way. Relating to the book can be done only by the underlying tones, not the actual events since it is a fantasy. The forces of good and evil is something that I can relate to because we all know what right and wrong is, and the consequences of each kind of action. I thought the book was well-written and very amusing and fun to read and I would recommend it to anyone.
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