The Annotated Hobbit

Anyone who enjoys Tolkien's books will find this book interesting. Those who are passionate about Tolkien's books will find this book essential. Tolkien's books were works in progress over many years, and he made changes in them as he developed the ideas and story lines. This book notes those changes so one can follow Tolkien's creative process. One can also gain insights into elements of the story that might be confusing at first.The notes on editions from around the world are also interesting, though enthusiasts for the original story may find them distracting.Finally, the layout of the book inserts the notes on the same page as the text that they relate to, which is convenient, but when the notes occupy more space on the page than does the text (sometimes more than one page of notes and no text), just reading the story can be tricky.Overall, this is a study book, not one for leisurely enjoyment.

Beautiful illustrations, very informative notes, nice binding. Love It!!!

I have several versions of The Hobbit, which I've accumulated over the past 4 decades. Not that I have all of them, not even of the English speaking versions. Naturally the artwork of the movie trilogy eventually led me back to wondering if I've missed out on some great newer book version, and I ended up buying 2 more copies, this being one of them.Since the words in every English edition of The Hobbit are all the same, having been written by the same guy, it's the extras like the artwork, the commentaries, the bindings and the what-nots that may lead you to love one edition more than another.I must admit there is a lot to like about this edition. Principally the annotations, which very much like the annotated Alice in Wonderland continue upon every page, with fascinating stuff not found in the actual text of the novel. But the illustrations are also quite good. From the standpoint of illustration alone, I think my favorite remains the 1984 edition with illustrations by Michael Hague. Hague's illustrations were hardly on every page, but neither were they sparse. What makes them nice is that they take up the full page, they are in color, and they are scattered about from beginning to the end of the book.In The Annotated Hobbit, besides the wonderful annotations, there are a large number of <alas> black and white, and partial-page drawings by various artists. The drawings are quite good (and I am sure would be absolutely splendid in color and full-page). Thankfully though this is NOT ALL. In the center of the book are 8 full color pages of illustrations by 7 different artists. Mostly they are two illustrations per page, and mostly they are Tolkien's own, but nicely supplemented by the visions of 6 other skilled artists.I guess, all things considered, this might be the nicest overall edition I own. One can always wish for MORE full-color illustrations, and indeed I seem to have fully lost track of one other, really luxuriously illustrated though soft-backed edition. But if you want the fine bonus of the annotations plus both B&W and full-color illustrations by 7 artists, this version should be yours.

The Hobbit is one of my favorite books since childhood, and like many I reread it every couple of years. Tolkien's rich tapestry changes with one's perspective, yielding new designs and colors from the vantage point of age and experience. However, after a reader has come to know the work intimately, it becomes fun to experience some extratextual analysis from a scholar who loves the book as much as you do! That's just what this annotated edition of The Hobbit provides.Douglas Anderson has provided rich marginal annotations, presented alongside the original text of the story. These include references from whence Tolkien borrowed many of his creations--offering a window into Tolkien's reading life, etymologies of words, and textual differences between the various editions of The Hobbit. The first edition was most different from the others, particularly in the Riddles in the Dark chapter, the first meeting with Gollum, which unfolded much differently. Other than that, I found it striking how similar the editions were, how little Tolkien would have changed and how in keeping with his broader works the Hobbit already was. There is much biographical information about Tolkien. For example, we learn that he loved the works of poet Francis Thompson. The margin also includes many charming illustrations from all the illustrated editions of the Hobbit that have been done throughout the world. There is a centerfold of colored illustrations in the middle, including all of Tolkien's own art related to The Hobbit. I like Tolkien's the best in most cases! How could one man have had so much talent?The appendix offers the most complete version of the Quest of Erebor, Gandalf's recounting of the story, previously published incomplete in Unfinished Tales(hence the title, duh). All in all, this fine book offers a fun and rewarding way to re-experience The Hobbit for even the most jaded Tolkien fan.

This was in good order considering it was 2nd hand. Reading it at the moment. Very good. Interesting annotations.

This is a wonderful book and so much more than a definitive text if such could exist, as it contains a wealth of information in the annotations that make it a must read for anyone interested in folklore, mythology or the origin of obscure words and phrases. Tokein fans sould already have it on their shelves. It provides a wealth of background info on Tolkeins sources as well as details of various non-english editions including many illustrations that are unlikely to be seen anywhere else.The annotations are presented in a convenient way that does not interfere with a straight reading of the text but allows simple and straightforward reference to them without losing the flow of the textFar from detracting, as heavy annotations can so often do, the annotations here seem to bring the story even more to life and add depth and character and perhaps explains why Tolkeins tales are so popular as new dimensions are added to myths we are all to some degree already probably familiar with.As someone who used the phrase to 'bag off' when skipping off for an extra snack at lunchtime when younger I was delighted to discover the origin of the surname Baggins. An absolute delight.

This is NOT the item stated in the headline and the image. The seller is misleading their buyers. This book is NOT worth £25, this is outrageous

well worth the extra money

This is such a treasure for a Tolkien fan. Heavily annotated with trivia, history and so much information about the Hobbit. It makes re-reading the hobbit so much more enjoyable.This includes more than 150 black-and-white illustrations and quite a few colour plates from foreign editions and by Tolkien himself. In the annotations it has the history of the edits and changes that Tolkien made over the years to the various editions to make it more in line with the Lord of the rings. Also includes rare poems written by Tolkien several of which were previously unpublished. I am thoroughly enjoying reading this.One advice though, read this only if you have already read the Hobbit once. The annotations can be a distraction while reading this for the first time and tale away from the experience. Best enjoyed wile rereading the Hobbit.Thanks for reading. Hit the button and let me know if this review was Helpful to you.