I never thought there would be a fantasy novel I would hate. That was until I read LOTR. The writing is incredibly old and hard to grasp.

Tolkein spends a huge chunk of time with descriptions. Even supposedly intense, life & death scenes are extremely boring because you are aware of the narrator describing the battle bit by bit.

I have an extremely hard time understanding why Tolkein is still such a highly acclaimed author today.

What an epic tale! It's not a light read but well worth it. What an amazing vision Tolkien had for his ancient homeland.

As a teenager I tried to read this book and The Hobbit, by the same author, but I just couldn't get into them. However, a year or so before the movie version of Lord of the Rings came out, I got wind that Peter Jackson, the director of one of my favourite films at the time (Heavenly Creatures) was working on a film adaptation of Lord of the Rings. Being an admirer of his other film work, I knew I would want to see the film. I also knew that if I saw the film without first reading the book, my future reading of the book would be forever coloured by the film adaptation.

So, I did a little research on Tolkien and discovered that there were three main books that dealt with Middle-Earth and the events of Lord of the Rings--as well as a whole bunch of books of previously unpublished writings about Middle-Earth. I found out that the story really begins in The Silmarillion, a book published after Lord of the Rings, but containing tales that were the foundation of Lord of the Rings. Next in chronological order came The Hobbit, which is a direct prequel to Lord of the Rings.

I decided to begin with The Silmarillion and read all three books as one great volume. I was absolutely blown away by The Silmarillion. It fired my imagination in a way that The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings failed to do when I was a teen. Next I read the Hobbit. I found the juvenile tone disappointing after the genius of The Silmarillion, but I pressed on and read Lord of the Rings.

I definitely enjoyed reading, and recently re-reading, Lord of the Rings. The story is grand and sweeping, but in many ways lacks context and history. Without The Silmarillion and The Hobbit, you really only have half the story. Sauron is a terribly undeveloped antagonist--unless you have read about his exploits in The Silmarillion. The differences between the races of Elves, Dwarves, and Men seem somewhat arbitrary unless you know their origins and the history of their interactions.

Of the three books, Lord of the Rings is certainly the most accessible for adults and teens. The story is pretty straightforward. Destroy the source of the enemy's power before the enemy destroys you. Of course, the themes run deeper than that, but the plot is nothing new.

The Silmarillion, on the other hand is a challenging read, but ultimately very satisfying in its breadth and depth.

I suspect that I will not read Lord of the Rings more than twice--unless I end up reading it to my daughter. She has already made me read The Hobbit to her (we are going through it for a second time--fourth time now for me), so it is inevitable that we will also read Lord of the Rings together too.

What I am really anticipating is the day she is old enough to appreciate The Silmarillion!

Greatest story i have ever read. Period. But it must be flavoured slowly. This is not a weekend book. You have to take your time to truly get and understand the journey. I always recommend to read The Hobbit first. It helps for the understanding of the caracters.

If you have not read The Lord of the Rings, you are not a fantasy fan, and I'll probably refuse to talk to you.

This is definitely the best book ever written. I have read them every year since I was 10, and I have never gotten tired of them. Tolkien writes in such a way that you cannot put the book down. You have to read this book!!

I have to admit that I was a convert fan of Lord of the Rings. I saw the first movie before I read the books. I didn't like it. It was boring, I didn't understand the story.
Then one day my sister hands me this old, worn, and completely tattered copy of the first book. It was brilliant. I finally understood!
For Christmas I got the box set. Now I have already read through each book about 3 or 4 times, including the Hobbit, but I loved it.

When it takes about a hundred pages to cross a bloody feild it cant be a good book ! I read the trilogy after my grandfather gave it to me for christmas and i was completely bored ! and you barely see me without a book in my hand. Some say that Christopher Paolini's Eldest is a rip off of these books but they're wrong, because Christopher Paolini's books are much more interesting. If you,like me, dont like these books i suggest you check out Eragon,and Eldest by Cristopher Paolini as they are a much better read. I have to Give J.R.R Tolkien credit though. His books did make a great movie

I have read Tolkien's books dozens of times and I never get sick of them. Every time I read them I find something new in the stories that I had never noticed before. Tolkien has created books so rich in culture and history that I can never get enough of them. If you're going to read one book, read the Lord of the Rings.

This single volume contains, 'Fellowship of the Ring', 'Two Towers' and 'Return of the King' along with 'The Book of Mazarbul,' from which Gandalf reads in Balin's Tomb in the Mines of Moria, an appendix that enables readers to decipher the dwarfish script, two-color foil stamping; a protective box with inset panels; a fully corrected text; two large-format two-color fold-out maps; and a ribbon place-marker. The book is well constructed with leather hardcover and beautiful binding that is sure to last through many readings. A great investment for any Tolkien fan.

In the world of literature, few books have touched me in so many ways, as the Lord of the Rings has. Should I be trapped on a desert island, I only hope that I can have this book to keep me company! This year I read it for the 10th time in less than 6 years and I never fail to take away something new with each reading. Tolkien has infused his text with such life and love that one cannot help but be drawn in and absorbed into Middle Earth.

There are many books out there that are considered classics - but this is the one TRUE classic. It is both a joy to read and the story and language are truly everlasting.

Deep in the depths of the heart, there lies a longing for love. The love of someone can enable us to defeat evil even in the darkest of times. The knowledge that no matter what sort of pain and tragedy you will face, that friend will be there to hold your heart...and hand. JRR Tolkien's world has changed my life. I read his books about 6 years ago now, and everytime i read them over, i am in awe of how beautiful tolkiens imagination was, and still is on the pages he has left behind. This tale of unreal triumphs, and unsurpassable tension, leaves the reader wanting so much more, and thankfully, Tolkien has given it to us in his other works! All of the realationships in this story are incredible. Each friend has risked death for one another, each race has fought for eachother, and each love has withstood adversity beyond all hope. Middlearth, at first glance, would seem to be unbelieveable...just fiction, but once you read each page, you come to realize that this place is alive and real in all of our hearts.

Deep in the depths of the heart, there is a longing for love. The love of a friend, and the knowledge that no matter what sort of pain and tragedy you might face, that friend will always be there to hold your hand, and heart. This extrodinary piece of literature by JRR Tolkien has changed my life. I first read it about 6 years ago, and ever since then, i have found a peace through Tolkiens words. The characters in this book are so devoted to their companions, that they risk their lives for the good of not only one race, but all. A tale of unreal strength, and a fight against evil, leaves the reader wanting to know so much more about the history...and thankfully, Tolkien has provided it for us in his other works! Each family and race has a tie to eachother, each friend has fought for one another and each love has withstood adversity beyond all hope. This world that Tolkien has created, at first glance would be unbeliveable, and simply fiction...but once you have read each page, you come to realize, that middlearth is alive, and real...in all of our hearts.

I HIGHLY recommend this series of books, for anyone to immerse themselves in Tolkien's imaginative world of Middle Earth.

This is easily the best book ever read. If you don't read it or don't like it when you did, you are officially insane. Enough said.

Well, I am a ringer, so I am a bit biased, hehe. For those of you who have never picked up the book or seen the movies, you don't know what you are missing. For those of you who loved the movies, but haven't read the books, read them! They will definitely further open the doors to Middle Earth. There is so much depth to this story and world and the books are a great starting place or next step to anyone who is remotely interested. I opened this book 5 years ago and now I am even learning Elvish! I love this book and the story has so many morals and is so emotional. Some find the beginning dry, but the heart of the story, the actual struggles and relations of the characters are so amazing. Middle Earth is deeper than the depths of Khazad-Dum. Everytime I open a book of Middle Earth, I learn something new and a smile is brought upon my face. The actions of the characters, the cultures of Ennorath, and the little details of this world all inspire me, both in my daily life and in my dreams. One of the books to read before you die.

This is without doubt the best thing written in the twentieth century but, also in my opinion, in the last 1000 years. No one will ever come close to the sheer amount of information about an imaginary world that Tolkien has. The scope and breadth of the novel are beyond the word Epic . It is a book that should relate to anyone; adults and children alike. There are profound values in there: loyalty, friendship, courage, pity, resourcefulness, love, trust, compassion and, as Gandalf puts it: Hope without guarantees . Everything is perfect and in the end, nothing is quite the same. The ending is a happy one but not in the classic sense of the word. It ends in bittersweetness rather than perfect happiness. Enjoy your reading!!!

Read it; it is incredible!

What's to say? Too much! This is without doubt - though this is only a personal opinion - the greatest thing - though THING is a weak word for this book - ever written. There is no word in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of Men for such greatness. This book is beyond the word EPIC . It is of BIBLICAL proportions. Just look at those Appendices: all the lines of all the Kings of Gondor, Numenor, Rohan, Elven Kingdoms, Dwarven Kingdoms, Gondorian Stewards; and a little history for almost all of them, including their births and deaths. Then, there are the genealogical trees of all Hobbit-families, too. There is also a great account of the second AND third ages, with their chronology in the section: The Tale Of Years, which recounts all the major events of those two ages and a lot of minor ones, in great depth and in chronological order; so that we do not get confused in the vastness of this major work of art. But the greatest thing about this novel, is that you completely embrace it. One you've gotten through the first pages, you actually believe that you are really reading HISTORY rather than FANTASY. You completely forget that you are reading something that has never happened. As Peter Jackson has said: When you read The Lord Of The Rings, you actually get the feeling that this could actually have happened in some other time of history. And that, we owe to the fact that his characters are so alive. They all have their own personality, and that helps you to get through all the names that are difficult to pronounce and you embrace them for what they are: real people with real feelings. This novel is the most intricate, exciting, and touching story of all time. It is a voyage to the heart of every human being and when you are done reading it, though you may only be of Hobbit-size in body, you end up of Oliphaunt-size, in heart and mind. It is a self-discovery of the human spirit in all its splendour: the good and the evil in all of us. You even end up wondering what you would do in Frodo's place: Would I kill Gollum; would I throw the Ring away; would I go to Mordor; would I take Sam with me; is it desperate; is it worth it? And in the end, the answer is: well I'm not gonna tell you, in case you haven't read it yet! But the book is worth it, that's for sure. This book, is about two things above all: friendship (hence the title The Fellowship Of The Ring ), and finding your own wisdom, even when it seems impossible to be wise in the situation they are thrown in. Now, I won't tell you more but, GO AND BUY IT! Trust me, you ain't going to regret it. Don't even borrow it; BUY IT! 'Cause you're going to want to read over and over again, anyway! I have read it six times since I first bought it (I only bought it in late September 2003, and we're in the first weeks of June 2005; so I haven't had it two years yet), and I'm reading it a seventh time now. Trust me, you'll like it!

The Lord of the Rings is the best book I've ever read. Tolkien is a very good author. He can easily display pictures into a readers head and allow them to enter the world of his books. His imagination brings things to life! I love reading his books. I also enjoy the movies. I agree with the other reviews they are awesome. And if you haven't read them or you dislike them you must be living ina cave or under a rock. These are great books. I hope that everone can read these books. They are very enjoyable. They are aewsome. I've read them 10 times.