Product Description

“Irresistible. . . The charming voice of Tolkien, bringing Middle English accenting to the craggy characters of Middle Earth. . . shows how much these works were born - and lived - in the creator's imagination.” -Publishers Weekly

J. R. R. Tolkien, in this extraordinary rare recording, will lead you in prose, poems, and song into the fantastic world of The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, places of enchantment you'll want to return to again and again - that is, if you're ever able to leave them in the first place!

This audio is based on a tape recording that Tolkien made in August 1952. The Lord of the Rings, on which he'd worked for more than 14 years, had been refused by publishers and he had almost given up hope of ever seeing it in print. But this recording made him believe in it again - enough to prompt him to send it to a former pupil who had become a publisher. The result was that even during his lifetime more than three million copies were sold.

Customer Reviews (10)

A NICE ALTERNATIVE READ
IF you have been longing for the Tolkien collection but thought it was too expencive, here's a less expencive version which will provide you about as much as you could want.the exserpt about Gollum is here, thus making your listening more pleasurable. If you're a gollum fan as I am.You'll enjoy this one and the quality is nothing to sneze at my precious.

Watch out!
Watch out, these are only EXCERPTS, not the entire text.

Middle-earth poems read by Tolkien himself
On this cassette, J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of "The Hobbit" and"The Lord of The Rings" reads one chapter from "TheHobbit", 'Riddles in the dark'. He also sing his own poems from"The Lord of the ring" (the first book).

A great thing forTolkien-fans, but probably not a thing for the usual reader. The length ofthe cassette is approx. 60 minutes.

Great book!
I think that this book shows great literature in the kinds of books youngadults love to read.It is a very inspiring book, it made me want to readall of his other books. It made me want to write some like it too.

Fabulous
One of the greatest children's books and the beginning of the best work of fantasy ever written read aloud by the author himself; what could be better? Introduce these classics to your kids on a long drive in the car. Listen to them yourself while you're soaking in the bathtub. Truly luxurious, in any case. Discover or rediscover, what a fabulous addition to your music cassettes. ... Read more

Product Description
Experience Tolkien's best-known works in a whole new light! These full-cast dramatizations of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Tales form the Perilous Realm feature specially-composed music, outstanding casts, and brilliant behind-the-scenes writers, directors, engineers, and musicians. Each of these lavish recordings was broadcast to rave reviews on BBC Radio. Tolkien fans will appreciate the addition of J.R.R. Tolkien: An Audio Portrait. Presented by Brain Sibley, who dramatized many of Tolkien's works for the BBC, it is a compilation of radio and TV archive material featuring interviews with Tolkien, his relatives, and his colleagues, and in which he talks about The Lord of the Rings, his other works, life as an academic, correspondence received from fans, and his views on the 20th century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

J.R.R. TOLKIEN BBCradio audio
this is a great audio it contains most of the story plus the hobbit book.
good music and cast

Tolkien As Tolkien Himself Would Want It
There have been innumerable depictions of JRR Tolkien's works in various media, but I feel that few would have met with the Professor's approval.The JRR Tolkien Collection created by BBC Radio is a rare exception.The radio dramatizations of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and the shorter works (Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf by Niggle, Smith of Wootton Major,and The Adventures of Tom Bombadil) collected in Tales From the Perilous Realm have all been collected in this beautiful box set of 21 CDs with 20 hours of material.As a bonus the very fine JRR Tolkien: An Audio Portrait, which contains some of Tolkien's own interviews, has been included as well.

I just received this set for Christmas and I've just begun to enjoy them by dipping into the various CDs and listening to small bits and pieces.I anticipate many happy hours with them through the coming years.The acting and presentation is superbly done, and the listener recognizes that the production had to have been put together by people who were not only familiar with but deeply admiring of Tolkien's works.

I suppose what I like most about these radio dramatizations is that of necessity the listener must use his or her own imagination, and thus each person's experience of them will be almost as deeply individual as it is when actually reading the stories.In my opinion that's the best and indeed the only way to really appreciate Tolkien, and I think the Professor himself would agree. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A good read!
This is a review from my daughter (18) who actually received the book as a gift from her brother.

"Actually it has been a while since i read it: but it was good!"

[...]

Trees and Leaves In Various Editions
J. R. R. Tolkien's "Tree and Leaf" originally included two items - one an extended essay, "On Fairy Tales," the other an intriguing short story, "Leaf by Niggle."The essay yields insight into Tolkien's theory of the "subcreation" which underlies the fictional world of fantasy (both his and that of others), and has a good bit of Christian theology incorporated into it as well.The short story tells of an artist who wants most of all to be left alone in his creating, and a neighbor whose need impinges upon the artist's time, energy, and, ultimately, art itself.Poignant, telling and essential for understanding Tolkien's experience of art-making and life.

Unique to the HarperCollins (British) "Tree by Leaf" edition noted here is the inclusion of the 148-line poem "Mythopoeia" which, according to Christopher Tolkien's preface, Tolkien composed in response to C. S. Lewis' having "described myth and fairy-story as 'lies'."Also included is "The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth," an ending Tolkien supplied to an Old English tale, "The Battle of Maldon."Those drawn to these works may find Paul Kocher's chapter, "Seven Leaves," from his "Master of Middle Earth," of particular interest.Furthermore, Tom Shippey's introduction to "Tales from the Perilous Realm" links themes from "On Fairy Tales" and "Leaf by Niggle" to such Tolkien translations as "Sir Orfeo," not included in the collections cited above.

My Master's Voice
I've always wanted to read Tolkien's other works; I've read the Silmarillion a couple of times, and never really enjoyed it as much as the Hobbit or LOTR. But nonetheless, I've had an old copy of a Tolkien book called Tree and Leaf for years -- it was my parents' originally -- and I finally dove into it.

It's short, only two pieces, but it was excellent -- and excellent in a way that makes me ten times more eager to look for other Tolkien ephemera than The Silmarillion ever did. The first part of this is an essay, expanded from a lecture Tolkien gave, called On Fairy-Stories. And not only was it interesting and well-written, it had some absolutely brilliant insights; I don't know if they were Tolkien's or simply common knowledge among Oxford literature dons, but I loved reading about the power of adjectives, and the concept of the sub-creator, and the idea that a fantasy world does not require a suspension of disbelief, but rather an acceptance of an internal continuity that allows a sub-creation of a new world within the pages, a world that, if well done by the author and well-read by the audience, requires no suspension of disbelief but merely a shift in sensory input, from direct input to that which is imagined from the words. Great idea that I'm not doing justice to, but intend to revisit and clarify further in my own mind, and use to my advantage. It certainly reaffirmed my belief that Tolkien was the leading light of the fantasy genre, both because of his immense gifts as a writer, and because he understood fantasy, its advantages and disadvantages, its requirements and its place in literature and our lives.

And as a final piece of proof, the second piece in the book is a fairy-story that Tolkien wrote, called "Leaf by Niggle," which was simply lovely from start to finish. Twenty pages, and it encapsulated the sense of being a frustrated artist in the real world, and the advantages of living, therefore, in an invented world -- advantages that are not just for the artists, but also for their neighbors -- in addition to having a nice moral on the power of art to lead us home. Once again, Tolkien takes his place in the big chair.

understanding Tolkien
This collection should be on the shelf of any admirer of JRTT. The pieces, which vary in medium (poetry, short story, essay) are actually strikingly similar in content -- you cannot read them without coming to better understand what Tolkien himself was after in his writing of LOTR. 'Leaf by Niggle' is simply a beautiful and fun short story to which no artist -- or lover of life -- could be deaf. It's Tolkien's story about himself, really. The poem 'Mythopoeia' deserves several read throughs -- it took me a while, but once it starts to become clear, it won't let go. And of course, this collection includes the famous lecture "On Fairy Stories" -- which will help you to better understand not only JRRT, but also CS Lewis (see: 'Tree of Tales', ed Hart)

A Treasure
I regret that this isn't currently in print, and it baffles me that this is so when Christopher and the estate seem to be printing everything else they can lay their hands on. (Not to say that's a bad thing!)

Tolkien's essay reveals the value or role of fairy stories for those who may be fantasy-challenged. Children already know that there are dragons. Fairy tales don't scare children by telling them this terrible secret. The role of the fairy tale is to reveal that dragons can be killed. The dragon is the catastrophe. The slaying of the dragon is the eucatastrophe.

Tolkien also notes that we are all subcreators, that it is a natural role for us. (I think he was writing about other authors but anyone who daydreams a story is creating as well.)

The best part of this book is "Leaf by Niggle." Tolkien wrote several short stories and I love them all, but this is a very special short story. In my opinion, Tolkien was writing about himself during a particularly clear moment of spiritual discernment.

I don't want to give away the plot but suffice it to say that the main character, Niggle, is working on a huge painting of an immense tree, filled with detail that grows in detail the more he paints. He would love to finish the painting but he has a neighbor who interrupts him repeatedly with some very real if down-to-earth needs.

And that's just the premise. The story just gets better and better, and I hope that it is all true. "True", not "real".

Please buy a used copy while you can, and treasure it.

Sherry Thompson (no matter who Amazon thinks I am) ... Read more

Product Description

For generations, J.R.R. Tolkien's words have brought to thrilling life a world of hobbits, magic, and historic myth, woken from its foggy slumber within our minds. Here, he tells the tales is his own voice.

Of historic note, these selections from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are based on a tape recording Tolkien made in 1952, which inspired him to continue his own quest to see his vision in print. Also included is a never-published poem, "The Mirror of Galadriel," originally intended for inclusion in the trilogy, yet edited out. And, finally, Tolkien's son, Christopher, reads selections from his father's The Silmarillion, the epic foundation upon which rests the whole of his work.

Customer Reviews (17)

Tolkien Audio Tape Review
The item came within 10 days, which was great. Packaged nicely and box still in great shape. Listened to first tape and audio quality was great. Thank you!

Freakin' Sweetness
Even the old recordings of Tolkien were very clear, and a really cool thing to listen to for anyone who's a hardcore fan of his work.It was certainly an enlightening experience hearing many of the words in his books spoken the way they were meant to be spoken, as well as learning the rhythms of some of his poems (which I always found slightly difficult with some of them).This is something you're definitely gonna want to buy if you consider yourself even the slightest of a hardcore Tolkien fan.

in his own voice
Suggested for hardcore fans. I have all of Tolkien's available works on cds. I love hearing the master's pronunciation and inflections. His poetry is fun and his elven chanting is uplifting.

Brilliant
I am so glad these recordings were made by Tolkien, and that they were preserved and released. i had heard some of these on an old record i borrowed from a library once a few years back, and only recently was made aware that it finally came out on cd. Its really a brilliant and wonderful little collection. Tolkien's voice and his singing really incredible. A personal favorite is Sam's song of the Troll. Tolkien was a true genius.

VOICE OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN
Inspite of age of interview, the resultant product is of the finest quality, and we have the privilege of listening to the voice of this legendary person. ... Read more

Product Description
Middle-earth, the world created by J.R.R. Tolkien in "The Hobbit", "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Silmarillion", has been an inspiration for generations of artists. This book includes paintings by artists from all over the world, both famous and unknown, including Alan Lee, John Howe, Ted Nasmith, Inger Edelfeldt, Michael Hague and Roger Garland. Each of the pictures is accompanied by a page of text from the relevant passage in Tolkien's fiction.Amazon.com Review
The fantastical world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth is aland of rugged valleys and strange gothic forests inhabited by wizardsand goblins. This world comes to life within the vast vaults of ourimagination--and it may unnerve devotees of The Hobbit, Silmarillion, andThe Lord of theRings to physically encounter this world in paint andpaper. Can the full evilness of Smaug, that demon of jaws and fire,ever be reproduced in a picture?Thankfully and reassuringly,Tolkien's World does not denigrate our very personalconceptions of this place in any way. An array of talented artistsconjure up brilliant images on canvas, inspired by specific passagesfrom the texts. Alan Lee'sstyle is whimsical and enticing--his landscapes of Mount Doom and TolBrandir are enveloped in a foggy veil, the elf lady Galadriel glows inan strange light standing "tall and pale." In contrast, John Howe'sworks are bold and dramatic, reflecting terrifying encounters withtrolls, dragons, and creatures of "sting and of claws." These andother fabled paintings only add to our dreams ofMiddle-earth. --Naomi Gesinger ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Howe and Lee are the Highlights:
As the title states, the paintings by John Howe and Alan Lee are by far the best work in this book.What makes Lee great is that his style is so distinctive and has such a great "feel" to it (his work appears on the cover).Howe's work, however, is much more detailed and yet captures what Tolkien, in my mind, describes on the page. It should be no wonder, then, that Peter Jackson chose them both to do conceptual art for the movies.Their work shines above the rest here.

However, the work of Carol Emery Phenix (Weathertop) and Tony Galuidi (Saruman and Barad-Dur) are frankly rather childish.Their work portrays no emotion or attention to detail.Their work is sub-par and much too cartoonish.I don't understand how it every was approved for publishing.Because of these inclusions, and some of Inger Edelfeldt's works, this book only gets three stars from me.

The work of Ted Nasmith is well executed, but not as stelar as Lee and Howe.

So, should you buy this book?If you can get is used for cheap, I say go for it.Howe and Lee make is worth while.However, I wouldn't spend too much on it or you might be disappointed.

Tolkien's World:Paintings of Middle Earth
The book was in perfect shape, it arrived well before I expected it, and the whole purchasing process was seemless.

Used and Good!
I bought it used for .50 cents; totally worth it! Yes, the 'weird' paintings do not appeal to me, but I can live with them. Buy it used, and ignore the naysayers, unless you are spending $25+ dollars.

A conflicted "World"
Perhaps no fictional world has inspired as much art as J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth. Unfortunately, a lot of it stinks. The good art is excellent, but plenty is mediocre or just awful, rough-looking futuristic stuff that seems utterly alien to Tolkien's work.

John Howe's have the vividity and beauty we expect from him, especially his outstanding picture of Gandalf that inspired the Peter Jackson movie's Gandalf; Alan Lee's are more ethereal and colorless, but still beautiful (especially his Luthien painting). Nasmith's are usually quite good; they're not as good as Howe or Lee, but head and shoulders above average. Goldsmith is fairly good, not exceptional.

Michael's Hague's are mediocre, lacking in imagination and sparkle but serviceable. Robert Garland's paintings range between the exquisite (his lovely "Smith" picture) and the cartoonish (his eye-popping "Haven" picture); the same is true of Edelfeldt, who is divided between bad and good. Phenix and Galuidi are just awful, garishly colored and totally unrealistic. Galuidi's Saruman looks like a picture for a D&D game, and his Barad-dur looks like a cheap scifi cover.

Each painting is accompanied by a relevant quote or piece of verse, usually an excerpt from the book in question (not just "The Hobbit" or "Lord of the Rings," but other books as well). There are some nice bits of artwork in this book, but only buy it if you can't find Nasmith, Lee, Howe or Goldsmith anywhere else.

Good; some of the paintings inspired Peter Jackson's vision
This is a collection of 50+ paintings based on various works by Tolkien, which fans of Tolkien will no doubt enjoy. It may be of speial interest to those who watched the movies (and who hasn't, who read Tolkien...) as you can clearly see how some of these paintings are replicated in Jackson's movies; it takes but a moment to catch it in the film, but if you see the pictures enough you'll recognize it.

The quality of the paintings are uneven, and each one has its favorite. Like many people, I find Hague lacking, but also Edelfeldt, who isn't bad but whose style is not unique enough in my opinion.

My favorites, on the other hand, are Howe, Garland, Nasmith, Lee and Galuidi. Garland, my favorite, has a unique and glowing, almost 'mystical' style that does the book justice. Howe's pictures are also intriguing and beautiful, and feel true to the book (and thankfully, he seems to dominate the book in terms of the number of contributions). Nasmith has some splendid landscape pictures, though his vision of the characters leave something to be desired (especially of a fat, distorted Boromir!) Galuidi's sci-fi, computerized style may not appeal to some, but I find them interesting. Finally, Lee's soft watercolors are very appealing, and his vision of the characters is near-perfect (especially Galadriel and Gandalf). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great art?
I have read some of the other reviews here and I'm surprised how much people's reactions are spread across the board. But I suppose that is what truly great art does -- hits people in different places and gets them talking. In my opinion, I agree that at some points the story did seem to drag a little, but the adventure more than makes up for it. For me, the first half of the book was not all that interesting, being mostly battle -- however, there were some significant plot twists (such as the return of Gandalf and Pippin looking in the stone) and new characters (such as Treebeard and the ents) that made it worth reading. (For what it's worth, I absolutely LOVED the ents!!) The second half of the book is what really held my interest, being the journey of Frodo and Sam led by Gollum through the mountains. The dialogue between Smeagol and his alter-ego Gollum is most fascinating, and the character development (especially of Sam) is profound. The characters really grow and change throughout their journey, but at the core is their extremely strong friendship.

If you are smart you bought all three volumes at once.
This book picks up where "Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings, Part I)", left off. The fellowship is dispersed. We are lucky in the fact that J. R. R. Tolkien will completely follow each path from beginning to end. All the wars are covered in detail and the progress of the ring bearer is chronicled. New creatures and old vermin reveal themselves.

As with Ramayana by William Buck ISBN: 0520043944, we find that every creature has its function and that there is no black and white in this purpose. Frodo alludes to this when he thinks of Gandalf, Aragorn, and Gollum. Even Gandalf tells not to hurt Gollum as he may play a larger role in the story that one could imagine.

Ramayana ~ by William Buck
... Read more

Product Description
A poem in which an elephant describes himself and his way of life. On board pages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

You wouldn't forget
My philosophy in children's books has always been to challenge the listeners, no matter how tiny. No board book that contains delightful poetry is too sophisticated for tikes, and this one is no exception.

Nothing difficult in these lines:

"Grey as a mouse

Big as a house

Nose like a snake

I make the earth shake,"

As much comes across in the tone of the reader as in the words.
You can convey a lot by assuming a grandiose rumbling voice to read

"Biggest of all,

Huge, old and tall.

If you'd ever met me,

You wouldn't forget me."

Frank Hinton's cute watercolor illustrations show a lot that kids might not get just from the words. It's a shame this keeper is out of print. Alyssa A. Lappen

Okay story. Horrible Illustrations.
What a mess. The illustrations by this Hank Hinton guy looks like something done by a first year art student.

It's a shame too because Tolkien's work always seems more enjoyable with a good rawing or too.

It appears the book is out of print. One look at the illustrations and I can see why. ... Read more

Product Description
The definitive edition of this beloved children's classic, featuring a wealth of accompanying illustrations and notes which take the reader further into both the story, and the tale of how it was written.Seldom has any book been so widely read and loved as J.R.R. Tolkien's classic tale, The Hobbit. Since its first publication in 1937 it has remained in print to delight each new generation of readers all over the world, and its hero, Bilbo Baggins, has taken his place among the ranks of the immortals: Alice, Pooh, Toad! As with all classics, repeated readings continue to bring new detail and perspectives to the reader's mind, and Tolkien's Middle-earth is a vast mine of treasures and knowledge, its roots delving deep into folklore, mythology and language. The Hobbit is, therefore, an ideal book for annotation: as well as offering a marvellous and entrancing story, it introduces the reader to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth, a world more fully and complexly realised in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Douglas Anderson's annotations make fascinating reading.Additionally, many of Tolkien's own illustrations embellish the text, and numerous illustrations from foreign editions exhibit an extraordinary range of visual interpretation. In an appendix there are details of the revisions made by Tolkien at various times to the publsihed text, which provide an uncommon and privileged glimpse into the special concerns of an exceptional and painstaking writer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good, but I'd rather just have the story
I physically looked this book over in a store before purchasing it and thought that the vast amount of side notes, pictures, and historical footnotes would be a great accompanyment to a reading of The Hobbit.However, I ended up barely glancing at them once I hit the half-way point of the book.Most of them focused on Tolkien's literary inspiration for certain stories and characters and only a handful had the cross-referencing to the Lord of the Rings which I would have preferred.They also greatly impeded the pace at which the book can be read because there are so many...and some can put you to sleep.

Not the Best Annotated Book I Ever Read
Minuses:
1. Too many margin comments on the revision of the novel.
2. No index in the end of the book.

Pluses:
1. Lots of drawings .
2. No other Annotated Hobbit available .

great but not outstanding
I enjoyed Anderson's book, especially the background into Tolkien's sources and early writings that is invaluable. I must say I have read the Hobbit at least 100 times and yet I have never enjoyed reading it as much as when I read it with Anderson's anotations. I especially appreciated the philological background into the many proper names and archaic words that Tolkien used. What is a "carrock"or what does "confusticate and bebother" mean? Now I know!

I also enjoyed the immense number of illustrations that were included, many of them sketches and pictures made by J.R.R himself. Alas, they are not in color, most are black and white prints of original color pictures. If more had been invested in the visual quality of this book, it would have greatly added to the level of pleasure in the words of Tolkien that Anderson's comments bring out. Still worth the money, hopefully Anderson will add color in the next edition

This is the best Hobbit edition
I would even give this edition to first-time readers, who will no doubt have many questions that Anderson attempts to answer.All the various illustrations will no doubt interest younger readers as well.

Anderson does perpetuate a couple of myths (such as the notion that Tolkien's Elves had pointed ears) but his research is generally regarded as some of the best in the world and that is well-deserved praise.The book includes all the changes Tolkien ever made to The Hobbit in an appendix which is non-intrusive.There is also an extensive bibliography for further reading.

But maybe the best reason to buy the book (if/when it is printed again) is its size.It's a nice, big cuddly book that is easy for an adult to hold, especially if you're reading to a child in your lap or beside you.The book also includes a biographical section on Tolkien that is interesting though short.

An amazing version of a timeles classic
The annotated version of the familiar There and Back Again expands the book's value enormously. All of the archaic words that have boggled generations of readers have been explained, and the story can be seen in anew light due to the implications these words arouse. Also are included theillustrations from the foreign versions of the book (several are quitefunny - like the way in which the various nations imagine the dwarves andGandalf - especially those whose mythology includes neither dwarves norwizards). A very eye-opening book, Annotated Hobbit is a quite interestingpiece of work. ... Read more

Product Description
Color illustrated cover same as shown in Amazon photo paperbound edition ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

the Hobbit
The book the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is an adventurous, fantasy tale that takes place in the land of the middle earth.However, even with many "nail-biting"/ action sequences, this story reveals tender and moving themes.Courage, trust, and friendship are the three most dominant themes projected in this tale of adventure.On their quest to restore the dwarves wealth and pride; Bilbo, Gandalf, and the 13 Dwarves encounter numerous challenges of both the emotional and physical nature.Bilbo's revelation from a timid, do-gooder hobbit to a daring thief is the most exciting transformation experienced.Though the story seems to take off at a slow pace, Tolkien's descriptions really pull the reader into the action.If you wish to read of battles with goblins, wargs, spiders, trolls, and the occasional dragon, then don't be turned off by what seems like unnecessary detail in the beginning.The Key, However, is to keep reading, it gets better.

Before you see the movies... read this
By now, anyone reading this text has seen at least one of the Lord of the Rings movies. And fine movies they are, if not for the minor changes to the story. But I digress; there is one part the movie breifly smoothed over, and that is the true beginning of the story, taking place in this particular book. Before Frodo went off with a the One Ring of power to destroy it, Bilbo Baggins had to outsmart Smeagol in order to obtain it. The adventures Bilbo had in this one book indeed are as exciting as any part of the latter ring trilogy, so before you read up on them, concider this a good starting place.

Hobbit Review
The Book The Hobbit is a wonderful book for all readers of J.J.R Tolkien and non Tolkien readers alike. The book is filled with adventure, action and every thing else i think people would like to find in a book.
The story begins with a small Shire Hobbit that never did anything much adventureous thing. Yet one day 13 dwarves and a wizard named Gandalf bring him along on a mission to re-take the gold they lost to a dragon who invaded the area.

On the way they run into 3 trolls that captured them but argued so much about to eat them the sun came up and turned them into stone.

Another problem also a blessing was when the groupd decided to spen the night in what they were yet to find out was a goblin infested cave. When Bilbo the Hobbit from the Shire gets lost he finds a disterbing dangile creature which he found a magic ring. The ring he found was a ring of magic and could make him dissapear so he escaped.

(which you will find is the ring of power in Lord of the Rings)

After they regroup and move out they must go through Mirkwood a place of huge spiders and Elves. A froest so big it took them for ever to get through. . . .

Hobbit sparks interest in Lord of the Rings
Tolkien's main character in, "The Hobbit," is Bilbo Baggins.Bilbo is evidently a hobbit, who is unknowingly volunteered to go on a dangerous adventure with 13 other dwarves.A wizard by the name of Gandalf is the one responsible for volunteering Bilbo.As the 14 journey towards the Lonely Mountains to retrieve their long lost fortune, they are faced with many fantastical obstacles.
The wild adventure leads the 14 dwarves to many creatures and goblins, including one named Gollum.Bilbo wins a gold ring from Gollum, which later on becomes the basis for the series, "Lord of the Rings."What does this ring mean for Bilbo?How does it change his unwanted adventure?

I am not usually a big fan of fantasy type literature, however I enjoyed, "The Hobbit," very much.I waited to see the cartoon version of, "The Hobbit," until after I had finished the book.My sister and friends had always loved Tolkien, and I had never given him the chance.Tolkein did an excellent job of making a very unreal setting, real to the reader.The setting and characters were extremely well described.Tolkien describes every tiny thing, right from the beginning.Even the hobbit's hole, which is not an important part of the story, is described in great detail.An author's ability to suspend disbelief is very important to the pleasure the reader obtains from the book, especially if the reader is already skeptical.There was really not a transition from realistic world into the fantasy world.The Hobbit instead slowly leads the reader into a more fantastical world through the chapters.The adventure and plot of the story really keep the reader interested and not wanting to put the book down.I can now understand why so many people have gone crazy over Tolkien's writing.I plan on reading Tolkien's, "Lord of the Rings," series very soon.I just cannot get over the great detail he puts in his setting and characters as he writes.
I think that the Hobbit would be a difficult read for elementary students.However I think it would be perfect for middle school or high school students. It could be used as an excellent choice to read aloud to students in elementary.I am not sure about parents reaction to Tolkien's writing, but I would love to use some of his work in my own classroom. ... Read more

Product Description
The perfect stocking stuffer! A holiday classic repackaged in a mini-book edition. This delightful gift book originates from the beautiful letters and drawings that J.R.R. Tolkien, the master of Middle-earth writing in the guise of Father Christmas, sent to his children over a twenty-year period. Perfect for reading aloud to children, yet collectible for adults, this enchanting book will bring Father Christmas to a whole new generation of readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A precious find!
This book is great for Tolkien fans and those who don't know his works. It has very cute illustrations and background info. I would suggest it for someone who loves to read Tolkien or for a child's Christmas present.

Letters from Santa
J.R.R. Tolkien was best known for his epic fantasy "Lord of the Rings" and his studies in myth and language. But Tolkien was also the proud dad of four kids -- and he didn't just read "Hobbit" to them at bedtime. Over the course of many years, he wrote and illustrated detailed, whimsical letters from Father Christmas, populated with a clumsy polar bear, elves and goblins.

In these letters, Father Christmas kept the Tolkien children updated with stories about the hijinks at the North Pole -- the slapsticky North Polar Bear and all the things he broke, firework explosions, the discovery of ancient caves full of old cave drawings, and battles with the goblins. (When Father Christmas couldn't write, his Elvish secretary filled in)

When reading these letters, it's hard to imagine any luckier kids in the Christmases of the '20s and '30s. After all, how many children gets detailed letters and pictures from Father Christmas -- complete with special stamps? Tolkien's love for his kids is evident in the care he took to create these letters, and the affection that comes from "Father Christmas" that is written in.

Tolkien's old-school style of writing is a bit formal and very correct, but he tosses in comments of exasperation, amusement, and in the last letter, a sort of sad resignation that children will grow up. Maybe it is because they were given to real children, not intended for publication, that the letters are only a little cutesy, and never cloying.

And of course, Tolkien's detailed, colorful, fantastical, intricate pictures are what make the letters come alive; you can imagine the Tolkien kids eagerly examining the pictures as well as the written words. They aren't terribly realistic -- Father Christmas never looks quite real -- but their detailed fantastical charm makes up for it, such as the murals on Father Christmas's walls, with suns, moons, stars and trees.

Tolkien also sprinkles the stories with things that his kids were probably intrigued by, like prehistoric cave paintings, fireworks, and a comic bear who causes all kinds of mayhem. And fans of Tolkien's fantasy works will probably enjoy checking out things like the invented Elf language (as written by the secretary Ilbereth) and goblin language. Tolkien includes a letter from the North Polar Bear in the latter language.

"Letters From Father Christmas" won't exactly make you believe in Santa Claus again, but it is one of the prettiest and most charming Christmas picture books out there. Definitely recommended -- and not just for Tolkien fans too.

A tremendous book. . .
. . .which will be a joy to hobbit-lads and lasses for many years to come.(Most "Big People" don't know that Father Christmas visits the Shire each Yule -- but he does!)

In this delightful book, the Master presents a series of illustrated letters sent from the North Pole each year to his children -- just in time for the holidays.In these letters, Father Christmas explains his difficulty in finding good help (thanks to the antics of the North Polar Bear); relates the true facts behind the great Northern Lights; and details frightening battles with the goblins who reside in caves under the Pole.

An excellent collection suitable for all ages (and guaranteed to instill in the youngest of hobbits a heathly desire to avoid goblins of all sorts!)

Charming
One can imagine Tolkien and his children by the fire. Father Christmas lives in this book and the reader rediscovers his/her childhood again.

Good story, but disappointing, shortened version.
I was looking forward to getting this book, and reading it to my children for Christmas. However, the actual edition was quite disappointing. For one thing, it is so small (3" x 3") that it is very hard to read, thepictures are hard to see. The reviews on the website implied that it wasthe full set of stories, with adventures about goblins. Indeed, the back ofthe book has an excerpt talking about goblins. However, the subset ofletters in the actual book has none of the stories dealing with goblins!The stories that are there are nice, but often disjointed because theyrefer to previous years' events that are past, and there are too fewstories, and the pictures are too small. If I had seen this book in abookstore, I would not have bought it, but it was difficult to judge overthe internet. I cannot recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
The hobbit Bilbo Baggins bids farewell to his friends and to the world of Middle-earth as he sets forth on his last journey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Beautiful little book.
This is a great tabletop book and reveals yet more of Tolkien's incredible gifts of writing and artistic inspiration.

Satisfying to any Hobbit Fan
This smile inducing poem-in-a-picture-book is a chance to return to Middle Earth for something new, shown to us by a loved and familiar character.

I haven't seen this book, but. . .
I used to have the poem on a poster.In high school I wrote an essay comparing it with Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar"--discussing how they poems were alike and how different.I got an "A" on it, I remember.(Both poems use describe death as a journey over water.While Tennyson seems emotionally detached and passive, expressing only a wish or hope to see the pilot after crossing the bar, the narrator in JRRT's poem is looking forward to the journey.)

Very Disappointing
I wanted to purchase this book for my husband's birthday.I went looking for it at a local bookstore after discovering it here on amazon and reading the great reviews - we are both lovers of Tollkien's works.My first reaction was - 'gee, its tiny' - being only slightly bigger than a pocket size book.Then I looked more closely.A hardcover, yes, but nothing spectacular in quality.The pictures are sweet, light and airy, but I expected more. And as for the verse - I also expected there to be more.It is well written, but very brief. Four brief lines of verse on each right-hand page, while the page on the left was an illustration.I didn't stand there and count lines of text, but since there are maybe 24 pages in the book total, that would make it 12 pages of text or 48 short lines of verse in the whole book.It could have been printed on one or two pages and still been surrounded by lovely illustrations.
It's just not worth the money in my book - no pun intended.

the perfect encore
This book was one that I stumbled apon in [a local store] as I was browsing the Tolkien area as usual.Since it was a rather short read, I sat down at a table in the back of the store.By the time I reached the last page my heart ached, tears came to my eyes, a smile appeared on my face, and I knew I could never put it back on that shelf.I could truly sense the love Tolkien felt for his Hobbits, and all of their friends.It is the perfect encore to the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.I've enjoyed Bilbo's Last Song so many times since that day that I highly recommend this book to all true Tolkien fans.Ignore the price and buy this wonderful book! ... Read more

Product Description
Set in a time far earlier than Tolkien's master works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, this is the epic history of the elves, and the grand story of the creation of Tolkien's magical world. The Lord of the Rings narrated the great events at the end of the Third Age; but the tales of The Silmarillion are legends deriving from a much deeper past, when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils. Never published in the author's lifetime, The Silmarillion is an essential compendium for all Tolkien fans. It will be published in five consecutive volumes, each completely unabridged. The series contains not only the Quenta Silmarillion, but four other short works: the Ainulindale, Valaquenta, Akallabeth and Of the Rings of Power. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

"We are sorry but this product is no longer available for pu
I find this book for sale on Amazon's down loadable books.

So, I get all set to down load it and only after they put their spy wear on my PC do they tell you they don't realy sell this book any more.

awesome
The story of "The lord of the Rings"is spectacular,because ittook me toa whole other world where I felt Iwas in the adventuremyself.Ibelieve this is one of the bestbooks I have ever read.

Both Tolkien and Martin Shaw shine in this audio edition
A long-time Tolkien fan, I have always enjoyed The Silmarillion, thoughit's never been my favourite.Martin Shaw's reading may just change that! Hearing Mr Shaw's rendering of Tolkien's prose is a truly magicalexperience.I enjoyed his reading of The Hobbit, but this text is muchmore moving.Mr Shaw manages both the high linguistic style and the Elvishwords with dignity and makes the text come alive in a way that is simplyamazing.(We can only hope that Mr Shaw has plans for The Lord of theRings.)The decision of the publisher to release the text unabridged isalso very welcome -- the mythic style and scope of the book demand thatevery story in it be told, and it is well worth the cumulative price of thevolumes.

An epic story...
The Silmarillion is one of the most stirring, well-written literary epics I have read. Every time I pick it up, I am captivated by Tolkien's mastery of language and storytelling; each chapter is written as a story unto itself, yet part of a whole that makes you want to read more. He has created a whole new mythos...just read "Of the Sun and the Moon", and you will be drawn into this world. Should be on every high-school reading list. ... Read more

Product Description
Short stories by the author of The Hobbit are presented along with his poems, songs, and a critical essay on fairy tales, in a collection that includes, for the first time, the dramatic poem The Homecoming of Boerhtnoth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The shorter works of the master
Fantasy writer J.R.R. Tolkien is known best for the thrilling epic "The Lord of the Rings" and the works that accompany it. But "Poems and Stories" encompasses several shorter, less-well-known works, while giving a more rounded view of Tolkien's unique brand of genius.

"The Adventures of Tom Bombadil" is a charming collection of poems, mostly linked to Middle-Earth. They range from dark to whimsical, with trolls, dragons, elves, and "shadow-brides." The poem "The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth" dips into medieval dramas, followed by Tolkien's thoughtful, fantasy-based ponderings "On Fairy-Tales," a long essay on the nature of good fantasy.

Then Tolkien's short novels come into play. "Leaf By Niggle" is an odd, pleasant little story about an artist named Niggle, who has to make a journey; "Smith of Wootten Major" is a beautiful little tale about a lost fairy king and a young smith who ate a fay star. Finally there's "Farmer Giles of Ham," a tongue-in-cheek comic tale about a bumbling farmer who, because of a deaf, nearsighted giant, inadvertantly becomes a hero.

There's no flagging of quality in "Poems and Stories" -- all of the material Tolkien wrote that is included here is top-notch, whether comic, dramatic or poetic. Some readers may be put off by the classically-written "Homecoming of Beorhtnoth," but it is still an excellent piece of work. He can argue forcefully, charm with sweet poetry, or tell an amusing story about bumbling heroes and not-so-fierce dragons.

Tolkien's exceptional writing is put on display in "Poems and Stories," a beautiful collection full of the Master of Middle-Earth's art. Highly Recommended.

A little different from _The_Tolkien_Reader_
As a previous reviewer wrote, this hard-to-find book is much like _The_Tolkien_Reader_.The difference is that where that book contains Peter Beagle's introductory essay, "Tolkien's Magic Ring," this one contains the popular Tolkien short story, "Smith of Wootton Major."

A collection of short works by J.R.R. Tolkien
While this is apparently out of print, the same material is also collected in _A Tolkien Reader_, which is currently available.The short story "Leaf by Niggle" alone makes either of these collections worth buying.Tolkien referred to this story as his only real allegory.It looks at his fear that his _Lord of the Rings_ would never be completed. ... Read more

Product Description
Product Destails:The Fellowship of the Ring The Two Towers The Return of the King ... Read more

Customer Reviews (381)

Great art?
I have read some of the other reviews here and I'm surprised how much people's reactions are spread across the board. But I suppose that is what truly great art does -- hits people in different places and gets them talking. In my opinion, I agree that at some points the story did seem to drag a little, but the adventure more than makes up for it. For me, the first half of the book was not all that interesting, being mostly battle -- however, there were some significant plot twists (such as the return of Gandalf and Pippin looking in the stone) and new characters (such as Treebeard and the ents) that made it worth reading. (For what it's worth, I absolutely LOVED the ents!!) The second half of the book is what really held my interest, being the journey of Frodo and Sam led by Gollum through the mountains. The dialogue between Smeagol and his alter-ego Gollum is most fascinating, and the character development (especially of Sam) is profound. The characters really grow and change throughout their journey, but at the core is their extremely strong friendship.

Gotta love these Charnwood books!
I'm on the plus side of 50 and I'm finding it more difficult to see the small print in some books.These Charnwood series of books are just what the doctor ordered for me and those like me.

I recommend this series to everyone that would like to continue reading after they "can't see" any longer,(j/k).

A Bridge Between the Beginning And the End
With the Fellowship broken Sam and Frodo set off to fulfill their destiny alone, following the path into the fires of Mordor while Aragon, Legolas and Gimli set out in pursuit of their captured hobbit comrades, Merry and Pippin.The novel is split into two parts consisting of the friends' separate adventures as the tale of Middle Earth continues to unfold.The world teeters toward the brink of dark destruction with its fate resting squarely on Frodo's shoulders.

Tolkien's second installment in the beloved Lord of the Rings trilogy captivates the reader with the same magical gravity and mystical allure as the Fellowship of the Ring and its predecessor, The Hobbit. However, this book did not seem to posses the same depth of substance.As a bridge between the beginning and end of the series it had more of a transient feel; a piece rather than a whole.

As always Tolkien writes lyrical flowing prose which captures the very spirit and dark majesty of Middle Earth. He paints vivid pictures of fanciful landscapes, gruesome battles and creatures both terrifying and beautiful.Though the story does tend to drag at several points it never truly grows boring; Tolkien's masterful storytelling and flowery descriptive language is enough to compensate for lags in action. In the end Tolkien leaves another nail biting cliffhanger that will have you clambering for the next part of this epic adventure!

If you are smart you bought all three volumes at once.
This book picks up where "Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings, Part I)", left off. The fellowship is dispersed. We are lucky in the fact that J. R. R. Tolkien will completely follow each path from beginning to end. All the wars are covered in detail and the progress of the ring bearer is chronicled. New creatures and old vermin reveal themselves.

As with "Ramayana" by William Buck, we find that every creature has its function and that there is no black and white in this purpose. Frodo alludes to this when he thinks of Gandalf, Aragorn, and Gollum. Even Gandalf tells not to hurt Gollum as he may play a larger role in the story that one could imagine.

Ramayana ~ by William Buck

The Book of Dreams
For I am too young to read this book, I secretly read it at my cousin's house.I understood most of the
words.At my school I am a score of 1023,which meaning I can read the Assasination of John F. Keneddy, and
Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets and I am 9 years old.I read the beggining and my cousin probaly read up
to Helm's Deep (the last part of the book) but he still said it was harder than trying to read an acient
article from 200 A.C.So I belived him for a word I do not get is Herosimiam.But it is the worlds best book. ... Read more

Product Description
J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT is an epic tale of magical adventure that has captivated children and adults for more than sixty years. Its success comes from its combination of flawless storytelling and enchanting writing, including these twelve delightful poems. This miniature book, illustrated with thirty of Tolkien's own paintings and drawings, contains all the poems, plus Gollum's eight famous riddles, and will be a perfect keepsake for lovers of THE HOBBIT and Tolkien's Middle-earth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Poems from the Hobbit: A Slight Mistake
My copy of Poems from the Hobbit included the detailed pictures and poems as described. However, it did not include what I bought it for-Gullum's riddles. I'm not sure if it's my copy, or if it's everyone's, but that was what I was looking forward to most. Buyer, be aware of this! -coyotewindow

Over the misty mountain cold
J.R.R. Tolkien's classic books are sprinkled with poems, ranging from enchanting to whimsical, from everybody from hobbits to elves. And "Poems From the Hobbit" compiles the twelve poems fromthe novel in a teeny-weeny little book illustrated by Tolkien himself.

The poems in here are, obviously, all from "The Hobbit," usually in the form of songs. Some of these are fun and cheerful, like the mocking song that the dwarves sing ("Chip the glasses and crack the plates!/Blunt the knives and bend the forks!/That's what Bilbo Baggins hates") or the nonsensical little ditty the Rivendell elves sing ("O! What are you doing,/And where are you going?/Your ponies need shoeing!/The river is flowing!/O! tra-la-la-lally/here down in the valley!").

Some of these poems are more fragmented and bizarre than real songs -- the goblins' triumphant song ("Clap! Snap! the black crack!/Grip, grab! Pinch, nab!") and Bilbo's spider-killing song are two examples, where it seems more like an opportunity for the characters to shout out taunts in rhyme.

But the best poetry here -- and the ones that show Tolkien at his best -- are the entrancing ones that sound like ancient, starlit epics: "The mountain smoked beneath the moon;/The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom/They fled their hall to dying fall/Beneath his feet, beneath the moon/Far over the misty mountains grim/To dungeons deep and caverns dim."

Academics like to sniff at Tolkien's poetry, though I doubt they could manage the range or vividity that his writing has. His poetry speaks for itself, as does his ability to do everything from storytelling epics to riddles to funny little songs about nothing in particular. THAT takes quite a lot of talent.

Tolkien's writing style is absolutely exquisite and memorable ("On silver necklaces they strung/The flowering stars, on crowns they hung/The dragon-fire, in twisted wire/They meshed the light of moon and sun"), full of shimmering imagery and ye-olde flavour... or funny stuff about smushing food into Bilbo's floor and breaking his dishes.

They even include the riddles from Gollum and Bilbo's little game, ranging from old ones that everyone knows to gruesome little ditties ("Voiceless it cries,/Wingless flutters,/Toothless bites,/Mouthless mutters."). And the illustrations are very pretty and appropriate -- delicate, colourful, and all around pleasant to look on.

"Poems From the Hobbit" has nothing new for people who already have "The Hobbit," but it's a charming little pocket collection of Tolkienian poetry.

A charming addition to your Tolkien collection.
This pint-sized, delightful book, richly and colorfully illustrated with thirty of Tolkien's own drawings, contains all twelve poems from the Hobbit as they were originally published. As a bonus, it also includes the eight riddles Gollum poses to Bilbo, complete with their answers.
This wonderful volume is sure to be enjoyable to readers of all ages, and a wonderful keepsake that Tolkien followers can afford to carry around with them wherever they go. You shouldn't miss it.
--Reviewed by M. E. Volmar

Not what I expected...
Mister Tolkien is one of my favorite authors, and I love all of his works.I enjoyed this book because it contains all of the poems and some original artwork of Tolkien's, but I was slightly disappointed by the size.I was surprised at just how 'pocket size' it really was - almost a miniature book, you could say.It is a cute and witty addition to any Tolkien collection, but, like I said, not what I expected.

Tolkien is The Master Story-Teller....he created the genre
The writings of Professor Tolkien are absolutely Timeless.These books are the gauge by-which all Fantasy books are measured.The Hobbit and The Trilogy have been the Inspiration for decades of works by other authors, yet I have not ever seen these works surpassed by anyone.Terry Brooks is the only author I have read who even compares to J.R.R. Tolkien and his epic style.I became fascinated with The Hobbit and Trilogy when I was in the seventh grade. I borrowed them from a friend and snuck them home. I was completely enthralled with the world Tolkien created.I was not allowed to read anything that was even remotely related to Wizards, Witches, Astrology, D&D, etc., so these books were like nothing I had ever seen, before.I was captivated and felt the call to become a Writer.Previously, the poetry and such that we were studying in school BORED me to tears.I found my schooling to be mind-numbingly BORING and Tolkien became my Inspiration to Learn, create Poetry, Write stories, Study, become an Anthropologist, delve into Masonic Lore and so much more....Throughout High-School, I had pictures of Prof. Tolkien on my wall and I desired to be like him.Not-only was he the Greatest Fantasy Writer the world has known, but he was "Professor of Anglo-Saxon, at Oxford University, from 1925 to 1945....and professor of English Language and Literature....and a Fellow of Merton College from '45 to his retirement in '59."Check out his translations of (book title:)"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo" (J.R.R. Tolkien)Also, Prof. Tolkien wrote wonderful stories like "Smith of Wooten Major (&) Farmer Giles of Ham" for children. Pop those titles into the search box! I can honestly say that reading Tolkien changed my life...for the Better! Tolkien created the highest standards of writing for generations of authors....I am quite sure he would be deeply disappointed with the majority of books published today, with numerous spelling errors and pathetic grammar.I believe Tolkien is a god-send to English teachers. Perhaps, he can still inspire young people to elevate their Writing and English skills, from beyond. I would fight to keep his works on the shelves. I was not allowed to do my Senior Thesis about this author, despite the fact that he is such an amazing author and advocate of Literature.I lost interest in doing my thesis and threw something together at the last minute.Perhaps teachers should Recognize the potential for inspiring youth, via the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. ... Read more