The Hobbit: The Magnificence of Middle Earth

J.R.R. Tolkien, the mastermind
behind Middle Earth.

The original cover art of
The Hobbit.

Thorin's Map.

When Oxford graduate J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit he didn’t know what he was in for, nor what a phenomenon the book itself would become. Published on September 21, 1937, the enchanting prelude to the Lord of the Rings trilogy has been hooking readers for more than 75 years. Even now, 42 years after his death, Tolkien is still revered for his remarkable and inspiring works. Throughout the years, The Hobbit has been made into video games, cartoons, as well as a trilogy whose final chapter, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, was just released in December 2014. All remarkable disambiguations, the original story lies within the enthralling pages of Tolkien’s indigenous novel, The Hobbit.

Set in fictional Middle Earth, Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, has never been beyond the borders of The Shire. When the wizard Gandalf ultimately tricks Bilbo into hosting a party for a band of dwarves, all determined to reclaim their homeland, Erebor, from the dragon Smaug, he soon finds himself carried along on a mind-boggling quest, captivating many. Throughout his journey, Bilbo both learns and accomplishes what was believed to him to be impossible, along with a few surprises. So, join Bilbo as he encounters Gollum, a former hobbit, who has been possessed by the ring of power (the one ring Sauron needs to take full power, makes you invisible, explained more in The Lord of the Rings series) for more than 500 years. As he confronts the talking-dragon Smaug, who he then must steal the Arkenstone, a stone Thorin (the leader of the company) values above all, from. Watch this hobbit change from householder to warrior as he takes part in The Battle of the Five Armies, and witness the story that supports the quote “courage is found in unlikely places.” The Hobbit will have you on the edge of your seat every moment and will bring you to understand concepts that have been long forgotten.

Illustration of the dragon Smaug.