The Hobbit

When he published his first novel no fiction work from the Fantasy Genre had made it into the bestsellers lists. Tolkien changed that with his first masterpiece; The Hobbit, which although had a slow start, and not popular with the critics, quickly became a popular book, and the story of Bilbo Baggins became well known to most children of that Generation. It tells the story of how Bilbo, a Hobit of the Shire had a Grand Adventure involving Dwarves, Magicians, Elves, Eagles and even The Big People (humans), plus of course the Orcs/Goblins and the wolves they call Wargs which were enemy to all.

It tells of how Bilbo helped destroy the evil dragon, Smaug the Magnificent, and restore the Dwarvish Heirs of Durin to there rightful Kindom; The Lonely Mountain. On the way Bilbo and his companions meet Elrond the Wise, are abducted by Orcs, chased by wargs (wild wolves) befriended by the Eagles, helped by a giant man who can change his shape to that of a giant Bear, lost in an evily enchanted wood, imprisoned by Elves and eventuall winning a great battle with the men, elves and eagles against the orcs and wargs...

And yet more sinister than all of this, and more importantly to Tolkien fans; Bilbo beat Smeagol in a game of Riddles and won a ring.......

Today The Hobbit is still one of the most popular Fantasy books ever written, even though it was first published some 60 years ago (1937).