One of the greatest fantasy stories ever told.
932363
Take one of the greatest fantasy stories ever told and meld it into a large book, special edition with wonderful multi-page fold-out illustrations from an excellent animated movie adaption. This is what this book is and this version has been a favorite of mine since childhood.
571333
This book is a must read for any that consider themselves even a passing fan of Fantasy literature. It covers the whole gambit of styles and emotions, by a master of the English language and storytelling. You will  truly be made to see what is on the page as if you are there. It is a quest  of the grandest sort... to save the world from a growing evil. Along the way,  there are new friends and loss, but still the unerring principle that good  must triumph over evil. Now I don't like to give the story away, but if you  want to know there are plenty of places and reviews that can detail it  better than I ever could. All I will say is you will not want to put this  down until you are finished so have some free time allotted just for this  book if you get it.
The only down side to this story, is that the second  book, The Two Towers, to me and some people I know got a little boring and  strayed from the path that the rest of the book follows. It was important  for the amount of information carried in it, but lacked the fire of the  first and third book. Now this did not hurt the story, just made me read  faster to get back to the parts I was overly waiting to read about.
1271018
Very powerful story.  One filled with action, human pathos and magic.  I highly recommend it to fantasy fans.  Looking forward to devouring the two other adventures in the trilogy.  It will be placed my library of favorites to be reread again and again.
1413480
Name of the wind is one of the greatest fantasy books written. Perfectly paced. You will not want to put this back down trust me. I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the genre.
4087662
The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are by far the greatest work in Science Fiction Fantasy by any author.  Tolkien created the most provocative, enchanting series making this the benchmark series by which all others seem to be judged.  I recently re-read this entire series, inspired by the film, as I am sure most fans were. I found returning to this series after having read this over 20 years ago was quite a joy.  I found the series just as captivating as when I first read it, and appreciated it even more so after all these years.  Tolkien was truly a genius in terms of story telling, but additionally I found his portrayal of the ultimate struggle between good and evil to be right on the mark.  There are still Sauron's and Gollum's in this world, as well as a need for heroes like Frodo and Sam.  This series is truly a remarkable work by an incredible author who could portray the fundamental travails of mankind in a captivating story.  Newcomers to this series will certainly enjoy this set, and it will most certainly rise to the top of your memorable favorites list in literature.  This set deserves above all others the sometimes over-used description of 'classic', as it is an incredible masterpiece.  This is a work you will treasure.
2964689
For me, professor Tolkien's tale is the best tale, I know.

Though it has in many ways served to define the fantasy genre, it is wrong to call the book a fantasy in itself. This a fairy-tale of the old kind - but also myth and legend. The reader clearly senses the depth of history in world that Tolkien describes, and this current of untold stories, myths and legends from earlier ages draws the reader into the world.

Foremost, however, this is the story of how the deeds of the small is what changes the world and defeats evil rather than the great or might of arms, and finally it is, for me, the greatest tale ever told.
4323607
I've read the Hobbit many times and each time I find something new to enjoy about it. This a classic fantasy told by a master of the genre. This is a story to be loved and remembered.
3596719
I read The Hobbit in an archetypal way meaning I characterized the people through generic archetypes that every story has and this story is filled to the brim with them. Wizards, Dwarves, Dragons, Elves, and other such fantastical creatures and this is magnificent for a fantasy geek such as myself. I feel like you can tell that J.R.R Tolkien was a trail blazer in the fantasy genre leading the way for writers like J.K Rowling, and George R.R. Martin. There are a few things wrong with this book though and I will warn you of two things before you dive headfirst into middle earth. Firstly you need to understand that this book was not meant to be a standalone so the ending kind of leaves with a "why aren't there more pages feeling" this is what the director peter Jackson tried to rectify with the movie The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies. Secondly the writing is written oddly, it is like J.R.R Tolkien tries to tell us how he feels throughout the book but it never really pans out It feels like an afterthought. Thirdly ,and this is for the book, the story is fantastic, it feels like this book was written on murphy's law, everything that can go wrong, does. Another flaw of the book is not explaining it's other characters as well as they could have, no dwarves stood out to me in general there is one and he was central to the plot, and Gandalf we all know who Gandalf is he was greatly written and my personal favorite character. I loved the book and you should read it if you are interested in basically the hearth of good fantasy
415978
JRR Tolkien is the grandfather of modern fantasy; his epic work THE LORD OF THE RINGS continues to inspire writers.  Without Tolkien, we don't have Terry Pratchett, JK Rowling, Jim Butcher, Mercedes Lackey -- the list is long. Tolkien took fantasy from the province of children and created a new genre of literature that was the proper playground for adults.  He made a place for the myths and legends of the past to come and be welcome in the modern world.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS is a grand epic story set in the world that Tolkien created called Middle-Earth, astonishingly peopled and rich in lore, languages and cultures. (The different languages caused publication errors and inconsistencies in many early editions.)  It is fabulous entertainment on so vast a scale that no movie to date has completely captured all the diverse themes and characters. (Yes, Peter Jackson made a great try, but where's Saruman, eh?) It is difficult for a short review to do this great work justice. But part of the impact and fascination of the work can be explained by examining Tolkien's three main heroes.

Gandalf the Wizard is an attractive figure, mysterious and powerful. With his long beard, homespun robes and long staff, he has some of the characteristics of a Biblical prophet, and he is indeed a messenger of the gods, sent to struggle against the evil of the Enemy.  He's kind to hobbits and children, good with fireworks and special effects at parties, but he's also capable of chasing away Nazgul and healing King Theoden. He's likable, compelling, magical and not without touches of humor. He can't even die -- he gets sent back to assure that his job gets done.

Aragon is a figure out of legend--the king in exile who will defeat the Great Enemy and restore the kingdom to peace and glory.  Spurring him on in his ambition is the great love of his life, Arwen Evenstar, who will chose a mortal life to be his wife and Queen. Aragon changes in the eyes of the reader from the suspicious Strider to the noble king being crowned at Minas Tirith but this is a case of his nature being gradually revealed to us.

Wizard and warrior king are stock characters in traditional fantasy.  Tolkien gives us great examples in Gandalf and Aragon, but the compelling edge of his great epic comes from the character of Frodo.  Whereas Gandalf has a job to do and is given great powers to help accomplish it, Frodo has only dogged perseverance. While Aragon wins his kingdom and his elven princess, Frodo hazards all he has, and loses it. He sacrifices everything for the Shire, but returns so damaged in spirit that he can not live there.

When I first read this book as a teeny-bopper, I thought Gandalf was cool--galloping around on a fabulous horse and zapping bad guys on winged monsters.  Later, I thought Aragon was a heartthrob--so handsome and noble, all the girls are crazy about him.  But as I get older, the character of Frodo speaks to me: the little guy, putting one foot after another on a hopeless quest, bearing a treasure that must be destroyed, knowing in his heart that he will fail before the end, and at the last, accomplishing his quest only because he showed mercy to an enemy. Is this fantasy? Or wisdom to armor one in the quest for a life well-lived?

More than 40 years after I first read this, I bowed to the inevitable and replaced my tattered paperback edition with a boxed hardback set.  I love having the red and black ink maps of Middle Earth in full fold-out glory.
1587200
This is one of the best fantasy books I've ever read.  The story only gets more engrossing, building on the original characters and universe of the first in the series.  Truly original and captivating.........
1437646
I read all the Tolkien books in during my  high school years and then again in my college years and now in my adulthood years...its never gets old. truelly is a classic but  Just one those book collections you find yourself  coming back to bc it truelly leaves  nostalgic impression. The Silmarilliom is like the bible of all of Tolkiens LOTR collections. it tells the beginning of it
all. Amazing and simply just one of the most well written fictional stories ever written. The man's a genius. Writers during those times were just pure brilliant and irreplacable compare to the writers of this generation who aren't creative or originality and lack
genuine inspiration. Tolkien, Lewis, and Burrough were the original and real  kings of all of our childhood fictional books. Writers like them won't exist anymore bc they created it all.  If any of you religious people or anyone who studied and read the christian bible or the islamic Quran then u would see where Tolkien was inspired the religious books added with his very own imagination. Simply brilliant.
4212133
WE bought this for my nephew to read since it's a classic! Tolkien is a master of storytelling and really created the modern fantasy genre. If you are a fan or a writer of fantasy, this is a classic and a must read.
417550
One of the greatest stories ever told. Truly a legendary masterpiece that will stay in your heart forever. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Robin Hobb, it was a pleasure and a honor to read Fitz's story.
2832183
I first read the Lord of the Rings in sixth grade, which began my lifelong love-affair with epic fantasy literature.  I re-read it again (at age 29) just before the films came out, and was reminded why I loved it so much.  This is a story that can be read by young and old, and it will fill you with a sense of wonder and excitement.
Tolkien has certain weaknesses as a writer (he couldn't bear to remove any part, even the bad stuff) and so much happens "suddenly" in the story.  Nevertheless, he's vivid imagination, worldbuilding and touching descriptions tower above some of these minor flaws.
None single book is truly a novel unto itself.  The books were originally published together, and unlike recent fantasy series, each work tends to lack its own storytelling crescendo.  Make sure you read all three books together.  For me, the Two Towers was the most enjoyable section of the story because it goes the furthest towards exploring the characters of Sam and Frodo.
Lord of the Rings wasn't the first modern fantasy of the twentieth century (check out Fritz Leibers stories of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser for something excellent that is earlier).  However, it is the most influential. Almost every fantasy book and fantasy roleplaying game created in the last few decades owes something to Tolkien.  After you read Lord of the Rings, you will know why!  Enjoy it, and be taken on a journey you will never forget.
4510020
'The Fellowship of The Ring', by JRR Tolkien, is the exciting first installment in 'The Lord of The Rings' trillogy.  Building upon the story that was told in 'The Hobbit', this story tells the tale of the discovery by Gandalf the Gray, that the magic ring found by Bilbo Baggins on his journeys, is none other than the ring of power, the One Ring, the master ring that was created by the Dark Lord, Sauron, himself.

Together with several companions, three other Hobbits, an Elf, a Dwarf, Gandalf, and two men, Aragorn and Boromir, Frodo sets off on the quest of Mount Doom, the quest to destroy the One Ring forever.  This story is wonderfully done, a true masterpiece in fantasy fiction.  Tolkien expands upon the world that he has only touched upon in 'The Hobbit', and we find it a place inhabbited by creatures of various kinds, some are evil, others strive for good, and others do only what they think they must.  Yet now, with Sauron, the Dark Lord, rising to power once again, and gathering his strength, they find that they must choose a dreadful course, a course into peril.

RD Williams, author of 'The Lost Gate'
357144
this is the best fantasy sci fi fiction ever written.  i would highly recommend it.
the story is beyond interesting and compelling.
230571
This is the second greatest book of all time (The Hobbit being the first).  It has everything you need: magic, might, swords, sorcery-but with one difference: Tolkien is able to make all these elements, put them all  together and make it all seem real.  While you read The Fellowship of the  Ring, you feel as if Middlearth is a real place and that the characters are  real too. I have never gotten so into a book series as Tolkien's Lord of  The Ring.  People sometimes say Fantasy is stupid or weird.  I  woudl agree  for the most part (sorry).  Then one day on a lark, I read The Hobbit and  it changed my perspective.  I came to realize that Fanstasy (as a genre)  can be as respectable as mainstream literature.  Tolien is a literaty  genius. Every part of this novel i s perfect, I'm not saying that because I  like it, I say it because I think that every writer should read this book  to see how a story is meant to be told: with heart.