Discovered Tolkien long long before the movies were made and though the movies were undoubtably brilliant, the book is beyond anything that I have ever read in the fantasy genre. Harry Potter came recently anyways and that has a charm of a different kind. Though many of my friends are put off by the length of the story, I feel that that's what makes it so wonderful. Looking forward to the next hobbit movie too, but plan on reading the entire series over and over again well into the future.

I can't help reading other fantasy books and just comparing them to LOTR....of course none come close! Tolkien really set the bench mark...what a fantastic story. Sam will always be my favourite!

This is THE book to define the fantasy genre, even if (like me) you weren't that interested in the genre to begin with, this book will change that. The story itself is amazing, with so much depth. Because not all of the information Professor Tolkien wanted to give to the reader could fit within the story's pages, there is an appendices at the back of The Return of the King to fill in any gaps. Once you start to read this book you will not put it down, which is one of the reasons this book is for many (like me), just too short. I have made a habit of reading The Lord of the Rings at least twice a year. I am one of the people who have been introduced to The Lord of the Rings through its film adaptation by Peter Jackson, and I can say that I am very grateful.

One of the reasons The Lord of the Rings is my favourite book, is the language used in the book. Tolkien has beautifully described with amazing detail the world that he has created. He not only created a story, but as Tolkien intended, a British mythology. He has created a world fleshed out with languages (Elvish, Dwarvish...), histories, characters and much more. Tolkien's legacy of Middle Earth is so detailed, you will find yourself wishing that this really was the world a long time ago.

Overall notes: I recommend the Tolkien books, not just to the fans of the fantasy genre, but to the whole world, and I wish this book would have the same effect on you as it did me.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings is quite simply the fantasy that all other fantasies are measured against. If you haven't yet read it, drop what you're doing, run out now and get it.

Some books are fantasies that happen to be good books, this is a wonderful book that happens to be a fantasy.

I have read all of the Toilken books both with my son and again in later years and have enjoyed them more each time.

A great way to live the adventure with emotions running from scared to excited at what is going to happen to Frodo next.

This man should be given a Knighthood or something i have read all his books over a dozen times and i still can't put it down. He has created a World where you can visit time and time again he is simply the master of fantasy he has created some of the most wonderful people and places

After re-reading J.R.R. Tolkien\'s Lord of the Rings, I found myself discovering new and interesting elements in the books that I had never remarked before. For instance, the battle scenes, which my imagination had assured me went on for pages and pages, actually only run for a few paragraphs. But so vivid is Tolkien\'s writing, the reader is almost able to \'see\' the action in reel to reel footage. (And yes, I do think the first two LOTR films have succeeded in interpreting Tolkien\'s vision).

The other element I remarked in the books was the lack of sex (\'steamy romance\'). Interestingly, some of my colleagues think this a fault. I do not. The fact is, sex has no place in this mythological story of good versus evil. And I use the word \'mythological\' because that is, essentially, what LOTR is. One might argue that LORD OF THE RINGS is to the modern twentieth century what the ILLIAD was to the ancient Greeks, and what the epic POEM of BEOWULF was to the Vikings.

I found the lord of the rings books great.They make you want to read them over and over again.No matter how hard i tried i could not put them down.Truly a great masterpiece.

Its the sheer scale of the book thats brings me back to it time and again. Not just for the amazing invention/imagination of the lands, peoples, creatures, languages etc nor even for the tale itself (which is superbly thought out and exciting), but the fact that Tolkien has created a complete sense of history and where exactly the LotR tale fits into that History (ie how history created the circumstances in which the LotR tale took place and that tale would affect the future). You do feel you are looking at a fasinating and exciting part of a much bigger picture - just like real life.
I think once you get a feeling for that side of the book it makes it much more than purely a story and why many people can't get enough of it!

And I suppose on that point the book can be read on more than one level but I have no truck with those you try and read too much into it. It is not meant to be allegorical and there is enough emotion and good vrs evil issues (massive battles /Frodos inner battle with the Ring) that we can all relate to without trying to make it something it is not.

I believe Tolkien took many many years to create this book and this shows in its depth. It is also the reason why it has few real competitors.

PS - Tom Bambadil is not with out merit but I do feel I have to work hard to get through that bit. If you get there do not give up!

I think i said it all in the good points

It is kind of difficult to review all of LotR plus the related works, but I will try... The Silmarrilion: Is the complete history to Middle-Earth, tells of the coming of the elves and their exile from Valinor. What would have happened, I wonder, if they hadn't been banished? Perhaps they would have gone on living forever with and beside the Valar. When would Morgoth rerise? What would have happened to the Silmarrils? Would there even be Silmarrils? The war of the ring probably never would have occurred, and the world would go on peacefully. I think that Tolein wanted us to think of that when he was writing, so that we would appreciate his effort more. This book sets up the setting for the Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings. The Book of Lost Tales (both parts): I am currently reading these books, they are very, very intriguing. Basically, it is an earlier version of the Silmarrilion, the commentary by Christopher Tolkein enriches the journey, providing an almost over the shoulder view of Tolkein while he wrote. The Hobbit: In a hole, in the ground, there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, wet hole, filled with ends of worms, nor yet a dry sandy hole with nothing to eat or sit down on. ~The Hobbit The hobbit is a excellent book, accounting for who Bilbo found the ring. This book is, like many of Tolkeins, musical in the sense that Bilbo and his hobbit and dwarf friends enjoyed singing. They used it to their advantage on several occasions. I feel that this greatly enriches the book. The Lord of the Rings: Brilliant! Beyond all doubt, these are the best books I've ever read! There is nothing wrong with them. Several times elves begin to speak their own tongue, sindarin mostly. However, the elves occasionally speak Quenyan, though, it is very much like Latin today. Quenyan is dying out, it is only used as a language for special occasions. I find this very interesting and wonderful, I find myself longing to translate it. That very instant! I don't though. These books are brilliant and (in the immortal words of Samwise Gamgee) "beyond my likes and dislikes, if you take my meaning." There is nothing that anyone can do to alter these books in anyway. I don't see why anybody would want ot anyway! Thanx for listening ~Velaineil

J K Rowling has nothing on JRR Tolkien. The all time master of imaginative fantasy epics. A true epic that will never be surpassed. The LOTR doesn't stop at three books it began with the Hobbit and continues in The History of Middle Earth. Tolkien's aptitude for pure detail is amazing. To write 15+ books of pure middle earth history is beyond belief. LOTR can be difficult to get into so read The Hobbit first. For the older reader who, amazingly didn't read it in their teens, try reading it with your children, if you have any. Children find the story spellbinding and who can blame them. There will always be imitators but only one real king. Utter respect and admiration for both JRR and his son Christopher, who continued JRR's work after his death.

Overall though it was excellent.

Lord Of The Rings by JRR Tolkien was voted book of the century, and it's no suprise in my opinion. This book is an epic in every way. Tolkien created a fanastic new world, with a rich history and language. The characters are brillant along with their flaws.

If you read other fantasy, you can see so much of it derives from Tolkiens world, which must be a huge compliment.

One thing to note is the first book is tough going, so keep at it!

The Lord of The Rings is simply the greatest book that I have ever read and will ever read. I read The Hobbit before I read LOTR, which I would recommend (LOTR makes more sense after reading The Hobbit.)

LOTR's is really a bitter sweet story. But that is part of the reason why it is so great, because life is not just a bag of good memories. Tolkien incorporated a lot of problems along with a lot of merry making and triumphs. Wherever good is and pureness, lurking somewhere in that very same atmosphere there is evil and corruption. The book is filled with tons of emotions from many different points of view. Various struggles that one race will encounter and another my be exempt of, hence Tolkiens ability to create an actual world, a world that we have the privilege to tap into every time we pick up the book.

There is the language of elvish in LOTR, which to me is amusing (He created a language!) LOTR has about everything: Fighting, Love, Hate, Triumph, Sorrow, Despair, Victory, Courage, Loyalty, ect. Yes, LOTR is a long book, but don't read it to just say you read it. You should enjoy reading it. To me it was an addiction. The book actually became somewhat like to the ring. Remember it is the journey that counts not so much the destination.

Out of the three LOTR books, The Two Towers is my favorite.

At first I hated the ending to LOTR but after crying becuase I finished the book and the journey was over; I recollected myself and thought about the ending. I thought and thought and thought. And my conclusion is this: It was the only ending for LOTR. No other ending would really fit except for the ending that Tolkien gave it.

For all of you who have not read the book, READ IT!, and for those of you who have read it I hope you liked it, I surely do.

~~~~(I ammar prestar aen.
Han mathon ne nen;
han mathon ne chae;
a han noston ne gwilith.)~~~~~~~~~

Lord Of The Rings by JRR Tolkien is one of the greatest stories I've ever read. Totally addictive, once you begin reading it you can't put it down until it is finished. It is a very dark book considering some people believe it is meant for children. I personally don't believe that for one minute. The film is quite entertaining but I would advise anybody who is going to see the film to wait and read the book first as the book always has much more detail, which helps you to get to grips with the story better. An excellent book well worth a read. Also read the hobbit before you read this book as it will give you much needed background information on hobbits and Gandalf, etc.