This book is kind of like a prototype for what Lord of the Rings became. In The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien set the foundations for some of the most well recognised characters in literature. This story has everything, an unlikely hero, dwarves, elves, ogres, epic battle battles and even a dragon named Smaug.

It's also the story that tells the tale of how Bilbo Baggins came to own the ring - so should be required reading for anyone wanting to read The Lord of the Rings or already has. Seriously, go read it.

I still love it!!

No need to get into the plot, I'm sure it's familiar to most people by now. My only tiny complaint is that the narrator has a somewhat annoying style of patronizing and condescending to kids. Tolkien himself admitted this in the collection of letters compiled by his biographer Humphrey Carpenter. Hopefully, a good film will be made of this book, though it may take a while as the rights to it are tangled up between two companies. A masterful children's classic that teaches valuable lessons without being pedantic.

The Hobbit is a book of courage and heart, which implies you should never give up no matter how impossible the task may seem. I personally recommend The Hobbit to readers of all ages. Reading The Hobbit is one of the most extraordinary expressions available to human beings. Bilbo, a hobbit, is invited on a treasure hunt with Gandalf, Thorin, and a cast of twelve other dwarves. Can he overcome goblins, wargs, and then get through the Mirkwood forest to face Smaug, a ferocious dragon? Thorin, the King under the Mountain, has his heart set on regaining his treasure from the plunder of the dragon. In the early stages of the journey Thorin thinks little of Bilbo because he is little (hobbits grow from two to four feet tall). Thorin soon finds out that Bilbo will play a bigger role in this nonstop thrill ride through fantasy and adventure than he expects.

a great story for people unfamiliar with fantasy to start with. Tolkien writes a fantasy story that isn't too heavy handed or hard to follow. Bilbo is a funny and sympathetic character. This book is great for children. It offers friendship, adventure, courage, quick-thinking and a dozen other things that are important for children to learn, without being preachy about it. Over all, this is just a fun book!

Originally published in 1937, The Hobbit is Tolkien's more innocent, lite and playful prelude to The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. In fact, this book is geared towards children (though enjoyable by adults) while the trilogy is a more mature work of literature. For the uninitiated, the story revolves around the reserved and quiet Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, who finds himself in an expected adventure with twelve eccentric dwarves and the wizard Gandalf. Along the way, Bilbo must fight off evil orcs, trolls and wolves, deal with magical elves, tangle with a firing breathing dragon, and finds a mysterious ring. The bottom line is that The Hobbit is a story of exciting events and a reluctant hero who finds that the unexpected is often the best part of life.

Pure storytelling. If I were to read it again I know that my writing abilities would increase all the more, and so would my imagination.

I am just starting the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but before I started to read them I read The Hobbit. It was excellent, and one of the best books I have read.

Great children's book and primer for the more adult Lord of the Rings.

Not bad

good but not as good as the trilogy

Excellent book.

A fun book to read. It's not as big as The Lord of the Rings, and it's not as dramatic or significant, but it's still entertaining and has many funny parts in it.

Being in the shadow of it's big brother the epic lord of the rings trilogy has not allowed this book the critical aclaim it deserves. Unlike the 1000+ lord of the rings this book only has just over 200 pages. However those pages are full of the most imaginative story telling ever written.

I wish I'd read The Hobbit before reading Lord of the Rings -- not for the continuity, because each book stands on its own, but because The Hobbit suffers in comparison. The Hobbit is a good story, great adventure, but lacks the incredible depth, the history and tradition, the sheer magic of the trilogy that follows. Having said that, it's still a great book and thoroughly enjoyable.

Yet, another masterpiece.

This book is solid, but it doesn't come close to the Lord of the Rings.. This was just an appetizer.

This is a well thought out book, and solid in detail. I only reccomend this book, though, to fantasy likers. By that I mean you will enjoy it if you like games like Diablo, D & D, Magic, and Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale. It is somewhat all of those games thrown into a book. Overall though it is great and will give you several hours of entertainment.

Pretty goofy, not as good as it really is.

oh man this book is so spellbinding. i was just astounded from having never read so fine a piece of literature. not only does it start, progress and end perfectly, but i think what i liked best about it is the way bilbo gradually learns and grows through the book - his personal journey from simple, traditional and "respectable" old hobbit to clever and cunning action hero. yet through it all he's still just humble little old bilbo. besides being a hobbit, he was always just a regular person, which is what i loved cause i alwasy felt i could relate to his character

Alot of detail and alot of decription, that's what makes it the best. Imagination out the ass! J.R.R. Tolkien is a genius. Read it and you will agree.

The Hobbit will always be #1 in my heart. When I was a little kid I use to tell people that when I grow up I wanted to be a hobbit. Bilbo is one of the bravest characters ever. He leaves his comfortable home and ends up on the other end of Middle Earth at the Lonely Mountain where the evil dragon Smaug lives. Don't let me forget the slimey bugged eyed creature named Gollum.

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK, IT'S THE BEST!! THE HOBBIT IS FULL OF ADVENTURE, EXPLORATION, AND EXCITEMENT. THEIR ARE HOBBITS, DWARVES, ELVES, TROLLS, ORCS, DRAGONS, WIZARDS, AND ALOT MORE. EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. THIS IS A BOOK YOUR WHOLE FAMILY WILL LOVE.

Me having a wide taste for imagination must say that this book is a true classic to fantasy adventure books. That says it all.

An absolutely wonderful story with an improbable hero and his adventures. Can be read and enjoyed by any age 10 or above and would be a great story to read to younger children. This is a great introduction to fantasy.

Great book! I have never read, or atleast finished, any book that I didn't have to because of school. It's that good!

I loved this book. And the Lord of the Rings trilogy that follows is wonderful.

I read this book for the first time as a junior high required reading novel in 1983. Since then, I think I have read it 2 dozen times and it's just as enthrawling every time!!

Funny and well written, holds the interest all the way through.

The Hobbit and LOTR are books that Everyone Should Read. Timeless celebrations of faith, hope, and honor, they speak to me every time I re-read them.

The Hobbit is a classic and I like it b/c it is so detailed, it paints a vivid picture, but you still get to imagine what you think it looks like. The description is so good you can almost taste & feel the objects Tolkien describes.

Excellent, a complete immersion in another world.