The Fellowship of the Ring Author:J. R. R. Tolkien Continuing the story begun in The Hobbit, this is the first part of Tolkien?s epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, featuring an exclusive cover image from the film, the definitive text, and a detailed map of Middle-earth. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power ? the means by which he intends to rule Middle-... more »earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring ? the ring that rules them all ? which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose. To celebrate the release of the first of Peter Jackson?s two-part film adaptation of The Hobbit, THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, this first part of The Lord of the Rings is available for a limited time with an exclusive cover image from Peter Jackson?s award-winning trilogy.« less
This is an excellent start to an excellent series. While Tolkien's writting tends to get a bit too wordy, it is well worth it. Tolkien creates a world that is so life like. It amazes me how much he put into Middle Earth. He created a whole history. It's easy to get lost in the world of Hobbits, Elves and Dwarves while reading this book.
I don't remember the first time I read "The Hobbit" and the series "The Lord of The Rings", but I do know I have re-read these books many times. If you are not aquainted with Middle Earth and the hobbits, you really should read this book. It is a wonderful fantasy filled with great characters, the good guys versus the bad guys. If you haven't read "The Hobbit", which occurs many years before this series takes place, and you can get your hands on it, I would recommend reading that first, as it sets up many of the events in the series. However if you can't, don't worry, there is enough explanation here to get you started. Highly recommended! P.S., if you have seen the movie versions of this series, it generally follows the same plot line with a few modifications of characters and of course, they can't put every detail in the movie version! The movies were great too!
Peter P. (pwp7669) - , reviewed The Fellowship of the Ring on
Helpful Score: 4
J. R. R. Tolkein's THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy --- of which this book is the first part --- is a chronicle of the great War of the Ring, which occurred in the Third Age of Middle-earth. If you've never read these three masterpieces, you've missed a wonderful reading experience. [A]
I own three copies of this book - way more than I need, but I just couldn't help myself! Anyone that was a true fan of the movie trilogy (or before that - a true geek) will love these books. I had never heard of them until I saw the movie, and then I had to have all three plus the Hobbit. I have to say that the Hobbit is by far the most fun to read, but a true word-lover will enjoy all of Tolkien's work. My advice: Try it out! If you just can't get through it then put it back on PBS, but you'll never know until you try!
If you have not read Tolkien, you must! He is one of the most descriptive writers I have ever come across. I remember him describing a hillside and being blown away by the words. A good versus evil novel that will leave you wanting more.
If you want to find out what really happened in the book that didn't happen in the movie... read this. J.R.R. Tolkien is an exceptional writer and these stories... all three of them... AND the Hobbit are spellbinding and captivating.
This may be the last time I'll re-read this book. So many books, so little time, and I'm not getting any younger. I don't know how many times I've read it and I still love it. Such a mastery of language and description, Tolkien has made a complete world with all the complexities and myths in it. When reading this it is so easy to understand why such fandom has sprung up around it, and I've no doubt it will continue to inspire readers for years and years to come.
I had to laugh at the author's own words when he addressed critics that complained that the story moved slowly, as I have to agree with those critics. The first book plods along as it inundates the reader with numerous names, places, and histories of Middle Earth. Rarely if ever have I read accounts of a fantasy world that are so detailed. Slow or no, it has certainly earned its place as a great work of fiction, and I look forward to see what befalls our heros in the next installment of the series.
The Original American Production. Fully Dramatized. 3 1/2 hours on 3 compact discs.
Cast: Ray Reinhardt, James Arrington, Pat Franklyn, Mac McCaddon, Lou Bliss, Bernard Mayes, Gail Chugg, Tom Luce, Bob Lewis, John Vickery, Erik Bauersfeld, Carl Hague
The Fellowship of The Ring-first of three books that compromise the complete story-tells of the fateful power of the One Ring, and begins the magnificent tale of war and adventure which is continued in The Two Towers and reaches its mighty climax in The Return of The King.
What an entertaining read! Not having read this book even though my daughters all did, I felt it was time that I, too, turned its pages. Bilbo Baggins celebrates his eleventy-fifth birthday and decides to go traveling. Before he leaves he gives up Ring of Power, bestowing it on his nephew and friend, Frodo. He had found the ring years before on a journey described in The Hobbit. However, strange, evil horsemen begin to appear and Frodo decides to follow Bilbo. As he and his friends travel they find their way impeded by several evil black horsemen, intent upon capturing the ring from Frodo. Tolkien takes the hobbits on a peril filled journey as they plan to destroy the ring whose power corrupts anyone who uses it. What a fantasy! Tolkien was as private as Bilbo and has said that he was this unique little man. Part of the fun of reading this novel was checking out background on the author and the novel in his authorized biography.