Rating: 
Summary: Why "The Lord of the Rings" is so re-readable.
Review: 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy is not for everyone. If you're used to a junk food diet of contemporary easy-to-read thrillers, you'll find 'The Lord of the Rings' tough going. This is no bag of high-cholesterol potato chips to be consumed in five minutes ' this is a sack of solid food to be enjoyed over several evenings! Unlike the brief attractions offered by a 100-meter sprint, 'The Lord of the Rings' offers the scenic adventures of a 100-mile walk. It's an enduring and challenging journey, with a multitude of memorable pleasures. Whose journey is it? At the face of it, it is a journey undertaken by the hobbit Frodo and his companions. Frodo possesses a most powerful ring, and the only way to prevent this ring from ever falling into the hands of the powers of evil is to destroy it ' in the very heart of the kingdom of evil. 'The Lord of the Rings' describes the epic journey of the ring-bearer Frodo and his companions as they journey into the heart of enemy territory to do battle with the powers of evil. If they successfully accomplish their quest, they will assure the conquest of evil by good. But it is not just Frodo who makes this marathon journey. Tolkien has an uncanny ability to ensnare the reader, so that you will find yourself not just a spectator, but a participant in the marathon mission undertaken by Frodo and friends. The ringbearer Frodo and his company will become more than mere travelling companions. They will become your friends. You will feel you know them, and grow to love them ' their joys will excite you, their sorrows will hurt you, their conquests will delight you, their failures will grief you. And it will pain you to say goodbye to them at the end. In the course of this long journey, you will be presented with breath-taking scenery. Tolkien has a remarkable ability to describe scenery with colour, character and clarity, so that you will visualize every tree, rock and road. By the time you are done, the setting of Middle-Earth will be as real as any place you've visited. As such, 'The Lord of the Rings' is not just about a story and a journey, but about a place ' and an immense and grand one. Tolkien has created cultures, histories, and languages. The vast scope of 'The Lord of the Rings' makes it a truly epic novel. In fact, 'The Lord of the Rings' has all the qualities of an epic ' immense scope combined with a heroic and grand style. Tolkien constantly displays a mastery of the English language ' the word usage is in turn gloriously grand, passionately poetic, wonderfully descriptive, but always amazing. Together, the vast scope and elevated style combine to create a truly epic masterpiece, so that the three volumes of 'The Lord of the Rings' read like three acts of tremendously immense play, with a global cast of characters, and a worldwide stage. And as you read, you are never quite sure whether this play is going to be a tragedy or triumph, as the powers of good seek to overcome the powers of evil. This struggle between good and evil that actually makes 'The Lord of the Rings' a deeply religious book. Tolkien was a devout Catholic, and although he adamantly maintained that it was written for pure entertainment and had no deeper meaning, he could not avoid being influenced by his religious background, as is evidenced by his sharp view on morality, where good and evil are viewed as moral absolutes. The epic struggle between good and evil occurs on a wider scale than in 'The Hobbit', and this gives the 'The Lord of the Rings' a much more serious tone, arising out of deeply rooted religious convictions. Yet the struggle of good against evil never becomes simplistic or shallow. As in real life, Tolkien's characters have weaknesses and flaws, and are affected by their experiences ' some on the side of good even being corrupted by evil. And this makes the epic struggle for truth, freedom, justice and goodness all the more stimulating as you return to real life. One cannot be unaffected by the commitment and undying devotion towards the cause of good, even when it requires unselfish sacrifices to be made in the process. In this sense, those who share Tolkien's underlying Christian values will especially enjoy the epic journey he has created. But you do not have to be a Christian to enjoy 'The Lord of the Rings.' There is nothing overtly religious about this trilogy, since the universe Tolkien creates and describes is a universe without God, where chance and fate are acknowledged as crucial players of the game, and where the conquest of evil is accomplished by the power of one's own will. This is probably exactly what we can expect from a Catholic writer. If you have never read 'The Lord of Rings', you should read it if only for the fact that it is widely acclaimed as the greatest fantasy ever. Few have read it and failed to be affected by. If you have not yet read it, a most distinct pleasure and experience awaits you. Yet the captivation of the reading experience is far from over at the end of its pages. The epic scale of 'The Lord of the Rings' is so grand, that it begs to be read again and again. When you've read it once, you have the feeling that you have only just scratched the surface of something truly great. Like an amusement park with too many attractions to see in one day, 'The Lord of the Rings' leaves you in constant wonder, and when you are done, you pledge to return again soon. It is this enduring quality of 'The Lord of the Rings' that makes it a truly great read, a memorable and monumental marathon journey often to be repeated.
Rating:
Summary: Why "The Hobbit" is so re-readable.
Review: Because of Tolkien's reputation as a master story-teller, I began reading this book with absurdly high expectations. The slow beginning confirmed my suspicions that such high expectations could not possibly be realistic, and I prepared myself to be gloriously disappointed. Quite honestly, by the end of the first chapter I shared the opinion of the protagonist, the hobbit: I was rather unenthusiastic, and doubtful that the "adventure" which lay ahead could truly be as exciting as it promised to be. But Tolkien rarely disappoints. Within pages, along with our hobbit hero, Bilbo Baggins, I found myself launched into the famous fantasy world that is the product of Tolkien's imagination, a world of never-ending adventure, mystery and magic. As I joined the hobbit on his remarkable quest to defeat the dragon Smaug and reconquer the dwarves long-lost treasure, I met a wonderful array of friends and foes - wizards, dwarves, elves, trolls, goblins, and a myriad of other fantastic creatures - and my imagination and interest never waned. By the end of the hobbit's adventure, like Bilbo, I was thoroughly satisfied. At the conclusion, the wizard Gandalf remarks to the hobbit: "My dear Bilbo! Something is the matter with you! You are not the hobbit that you were." Yet it was not only the hobbit that had changed as a result of this adventure. As a reader, I had to confess that I too had changed. My initial lack of enthusiasm had entirely vanished. I had participated in the hobbit's adventures, and like him, returned the better for it. Tolkien's imaginative world is a world so vivid, that you cannot fail to return to the real world a changed person. His descriptive abilities cannot fail to imprint his imaginary world in your memory. This story is not deep, but it is delightful and unforgettable. And like the hobbit, you will return to life the better having read it. What's more, you can go "there and back again" again, and again, because the joy of this fantastic adventure won't quickly wear off. For all ages, this book is eminently readable and re-readable, and belongs on every bookshelf. Don't miss it, because you will miss one of the most enchanting escapes that literature has to offer.
Rating:
Summary: Why I hated "Lord of the Rings". NOT!
Review: "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is not for everyone. If you're used to a junk food diet of contemporary easy-to-read thrillers, you'll find "The Lord of the Rings" tough going. This is no bag of high-cholesterol potato chips to be consumed in five minutes - this is a sack of solid food to be enjoyed over several evenings! Unlike the brief attractions offered by a 100-meter sprint, "The Lord of the Rings" offers the scenic adventures of a 100-mile walk. It's an enduring and challenging journey, with a multitude of memorable pleasures. Whose journey is it? At the face of it, it is a journey undertaken by the hobbit Frodo and his companions. Frodo possesses a most powerful ring, and the only way to prevent this ring from ever falling into the hands of the powers of evil is to destroy it - in the very heart of the kingdom of evil. "The Lord of the Rings" describes the epic journey of the ring-bearer Frodo and his companions as they journey into the heart of enemy territory to do battle with the powers of evil. If they successfully accomplish their quest, they will assure the conquest of evil by good. But it is not just Frodo who makes this marathon journey. Tolkien has an uncanny ability to ensnare the reader, so that you will find yourself not just a spectator, but a participant in the marathon mission undertaken by Frodo and friends. The ringbearer Frodo and his company will become more than mere travelling companions. They will become your friends. You will feel you know them, and grow to love them - their joys will excite you, their sorrows will hurt you, their conquests will delight you, their failures will grief you. And it will pain you to say goodbye to them at the end. In the course of this long journey, you will be presented with breath-taking scenery. Tolkien has a remarkable ability to describe scenery with colour, character and clarity, so that you will visualize every tree, rock and road. By the time you are done, the setting of Middle-Earth will be as real as any place you've visited. As such, "The Lord of the Rings" is not just about a story and a journey, but about a place - and an immense and grand one. Tolkien has created cultures, histories, and languages. The vast scope of "The Lord of the Rings" makes it a truly epic novel. In fact, "The Lord of the Rings" has all the qualities of an epic - immense scope combined with a heroic and grand style. Tolkien constantly displays a mastery of the English language - the word usage is in turn gloriously grand, passionately poetic, wonderfully descriptive, but always amazing. Together, the vast scope and elevated style combine to create a truly epic masterpiece, so that the three volumes of "The Lord of the Rings" read like three acts of tremendously immense play, with a global cast of characters, and a worldwide stage. And as you read, you are never quite sure whether this play is going to be a tragedy or triumph, as the powers of good seek to overcome the powers of evil. This struggle between good and evil that actually makes "The Lord of the Rings" a deeply religious book. Tolkien was a devout Catholic, and although he adamantly maintained that it was written for pure entertainment and had no deeper meaning, he could not avoid being influenced by his religious background, as is evidenced by his sharp view on morality, where good and evil are viewed as moral absolutes. The epic struggle between good and evil occurs on a wider scale than in "The Hobbit", and this gives the "The Lord of the Rings" a much more serious tone, arising out of deeply rooted religious convictions. Yet the struggle of good against evil never becomes simplistic or shallow. As in real life, Tolkien's characters have weaknesses and flaws, and are affected by their experiences - some on the side of good even being corrupted by evil. And this makes the epic struggle for truth, freedom, justice and goodness all the more stimulating as you return to real life. One cannot be unaffected by the commitment and undying devotion towards the cause of good, even when it requires unselfish sacrifices to be made in the process. In this sense, those who share Tolkien's underlying Christian values will especially enjoy the epic journey he has created. But you do not have to be a Christian to enjoy "The Lord of the Rings." There is nothing overtly religious about this trilogy, since the universe Tolkien creates and describes is a universe without God, where chance and fate are acknowledged as crucial players of the game, and where the conquest of evil is accomplished by the power of one's own will. This is probably exactly what we can expect from a Catholic writer. If you have never read "The Lord of Rings", you should read it if only for the fact that it is widely acclaimed as the greatest fantasy ever. Few have read it and failed to be affected by. If you have not yet read it, a most distinct pleasure and experience awaits you. Yet the captivation of the reading experience is far from over at the end of its pages. The epic scale of "The Lord of the Rings" is so grand, that it begs to be read again and again. When you've read it once, you have the feeling that you have only just scratched the surface of something truly great. Like an amusement park with too many attractions to see in one day, "The Lord of the Rings" leaves you in constant wonder, and when you are done, you pledge to return again soon. It is this enduring quality of "The Lord of the Rings" that makes it a truly great read, a memorable and monumental marathon journey often to be repeated.
Rating: 
Summary: The Hobbit
Review: As I know, this book began from Tolkien's bedtime story for his children. The first sentence started "Once upon a time....there lived a hobbit in a hobbit hole". But, reading the book and turning the pages, I thought this book is a little cruel for children. (When I was reading the stories written by Anderson, I'd never thought that they were cruel for me under age of 10....but... ) The adventures before facing the dragon, were filled with murder and eating the victims. And, after the death of dragon, the friendship was replaced by greed. Though the dying Thorin got back agian his kind heart, I was disappinted with the relatives of Bilbo. Well..considering this book was written in ealry 20th century, it is wonderful. This book is the ancestor of the fantasy novels anf PC games ever after. P.S. do the readers know that the image of dragon in western countries is opposite to that in oriental world?
Rating:
Summary: These books are the best! an 11 year old reader
Review: I've read The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, and The Two Towers and these are all must haves.Its a adventurous tale of a hobbit named Frodo who's destination is to get to Mount Doom and defeat Syroun by destroying the Ring. Acompenied by 3 other hobbits, Merry,Pippen, and Sam, Gandalf the Grey, and Aragorn (Strider), Frodo steps forth to achieve his destiny.
Rating:
Summary: If you only read one book in your life read this
Review: This is a great tale written by a great man , His style of story telling a lot like his storys seem to be made for a place a long time ago . I have read many books but without a doubt this is the best book but please read the hobbit first . AND if they screw up the film I will be [ANGRY]. Just buy it !
Rating:
Summary: Another Opinion...
Review: Lord of the Rings took me a very long time to read and sometimes got well...rather...boring. Though much of the book is in splendid detail, the reader gets to much of it in the first book of Fellowship of the Ring. The prologue should actually be the Epilogue I think because it gives the reader names and places they havent even seen. On the Content: The plot is obvious from the very start, around the first or second chapter, the destruction of the ring. But the book has many subplots and more subplots which give it a length over a thousand pages. The pages have many words on them too and are quite lengthy. The book starts off very slow, reminding the reader what happened in the book "The Hobbit" and describe each character's feelings etc etc. Once the journey begins however, and I mean really begins there is no turning back. It is not fair to tell you what happens but give the book a hundred and so pages and it starts to get really good. After the chapter Council of Elrond I wanted to throw the book in the trash and say enough of this boredom but it picks up greatly after that. There is great action in these books. The battle of Helm's Deep (Two Towers) and all the battles in Return of the King make this book an excitement to want to read again. Tolkien also describes the battle of the mind, the power the ring has over others. You will see this as Sam and Frodo draw nearer to Mordor. But the beauty of the world Tolkien creates in my opinion is his best. I'm telling you I don't think I know anyone who can better describe plants and herbs etc the way Tolkien does. All in all after just finishing Lord of the Rings, it took me a month, I give it a four. Many fantasy authors today get there ideas and creatures from Tolkien's original. I doubt he ever knew it would be such a big hit...
Rating:
Summary: A promise kept
Review: Long, long ago, when I was young and obstinate (as opposed to being old and obstinate), my peers were telling me that I just HAD to read Tolkien. Now, when anybody tells me that I HAVE to do something, you can be absolutely certain that I won't! More fool me. It's taken me over thirty years to decide that I was free to read Tolkien of my own volition. Ah, the joys of being pigheaded! For thirty years, I have missed the joys of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins (the Hobbits), Gollum (the lizard like horror that lives in a dark, underground pool), Sauron (the dark lord), Gandalf (the irascible wizard), and a whole host of other delightful characters. So here's a message to all you other stubborn mule-heads of the world... "I INSIST that you go nowhere near these books. I absolutely GUARANTEE that you will hate them"... okay - got the message?
Rating:
Summary: Beyond words....
Review: Eventhough The Lord of the rings is a classic work, much people didn't hear about it before New line decided to do a movie about it! what a shame, really. Because he who loves fantasy and epic adventures without reading this amazing saga, or simply knowing about its author is simply gonna die in ignorance. Hearken lads! This is a the tale when Beleriand is once again under the shadow of the dark lord Sauron, mayar and henchman of Morgoth. The one ring is found by the halfing on his way to defeat a dragon and share its treasure with his fellow dwarves. the war of the rings has begun, Sauron's wraiths are unleashed, attracted by the malefic power of the ring. This ring can bind all the others by its power and with it, sauron will retrieve his ancient might and reign from Mordor over all the elven kingdoms of Middle earth. What's gonna happen next is you immediately ordering this boxed set and die happy.
Rating:
Summary: TOLKIEN ROCKS THE WORLD NOT JUST MIDDLE EARTH
Review: Tolkien is the best, the greatest. You have to read the Books! This guy knows his work. Some of the Greatest books in the world are right here, you got to read them! You should read, All Tolkiens books, and C.S. Lewis is good two.
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