The Hobbit

The Hobbit is a book by J.R.R. Tolkien and the first published work about Middle Earth. In the book Bilbo Baggins, a common hobbit, is drafted by the wizard, Gandalf, to go on an adventure. He travels with 13 dwarves who seek to reclaim their treasure from the dragon, Smaug. After narrow escapes from trolls, goblins and giant spiders they finally make it to the dragon's lair. In the end Bilbo returns home with only two sacks of gold and silver for all his trouble. He also finds a mysterious magical ring. This book is a delightful book for children and adults alike. Tolkien's classic, The Lord of the Rings is the sequel to The Hobbit.

Tolkien wrote the book ostensibly for his son Christopher although it is clear from the text that he took his time over it as the later chapters such as The Battle of Five Armies are addressed to a much older audience than the early chapters. He sent the text home from the Western Front where he was serving in the British Army during the First World War. By the time he wrote Lord of the Rings, the Second World War was occurring and Christopher was the one serving abroad. Christopher subsequently edited his father's works after his death.