THE HOBBIT

Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit who wanted to be left alone in quiet comfort. But the wizard Gandalf came along with a band of homeless dwarves. Soon Bilbo was drawn into their quest, facing evil orcs, savage wolves, giant spiders, and worse, unknown dangers. Finally, it was Bilbo--alone and unaided--who had to confront the great dragon Smaug, the terror of an entire countryside... THE HOBBIT is the absolutely necessary beginning to the great story of the War of the Rings which J.R.R. TOLKIEN completes in his epic fantasy trilogy THE LORD OF THE RINGS. This is the Authorized Paperbound Edition published by TOLKIEN's American paperback publisher, BALLANTINE BOOKS.