The Art of the Hobbit

My main problem: this book doesn't fit very well on my Tolkien shelves (it is quite large and square, and so sticks out much further than the rest of the tall books)! However, I would definitely say that it is worth the purchase for fans interested in the evolution of the pictures in the finished book. I have the previous Tolkien art collections ('Pictures by Tolkien' and 'Artist and Illustrator') and neither of these covers all the pictures in this book, so it is still worth buying for those who have the earlier collections. The book is extremely well presented, with a sturdy slipcase featuring the 'classic' cover design and then a white version of the Elvenking's hall picture printed onto blue-purple boards. The inside pages are glossy, with large, high-resolution pictures. There is a short introduction by the editors, giving some of the history and referring to the previously mentioned 'Artist and Illustrator', which they also compiled, as well as some text in each section describing the evolution of each artwork, referring to the enclosed numbered pictures. These are often on fold out sheets which can be quite hard to see if you aren't paying attention to the numbering systems, and folding these back in without creases can be a chore, but if you're used to messing around with the fiddly fold out maps at the end of the Tolkien's works then it shouldn't be a problem.

Seeing Tolkien's original drawings and sketches as he imagined Middle Earth adds to the readers own imagination based on the text. I have never had a copy of the book with drawings, and I love the style he finally settled on for the pictures. The book is protected in a hard cover slip with the drawing shown, and the cover of the book has an etched effect picture of The Elvenking's Gate. A really lovely gift for a Tolkien fan.

I truly believe the Art of the Hobbit is a very interesting book for people who wish to gain insight to Tolkien's work as an Artist, primarily for Tolkien fanatics. The book is colourful enough to show the progress work of all the illustrations that ended up in the first copy of the Hobbit. However the other pieces of art shown in the book that may have not been published elsewhere are really not much more than drafts or studies for the final illustrations all seen before in Hammond & Scull's earlier book: J.R.R. Tolkien Artist & Illustrator (first published in 1995). In this new Art of the Hobbit (2011) book many of the illustrations that have already been discussed in the earlier book are revisited, but the text rather focus on the development of the final pieces of Art. I personally like the 3 page wide fold-outs, that enable us to see how the illustrations developed. With its large format, hard cover and slip-case, I think it is a definite item for any Tolkien collector.

If you are familiar with Tolkien you will probably be familiar with many of the finished illustrations in this book, what makes it an essential Tolkien book though is all the sketches and roughs which Tolkien worked through in order to get to the finished illustrations. Add to this informative text and you have a winner. Finally, this book is very well produced, for the price it does have a nice quality feel about it, well worth the price.

Bought this as an Xmas present for my Dad - a Tolkien fan! It is a lovely book, which comes in a lovely presentation box. Inside are wonderful pictures of drawings and passages which relate them to "The Hobbit" book itself. I'm sure this will be the perfect present for lovers of Tolkien!

Aesthetically stunning and surprising at a time: leafing through it has revealed an astonishing trip throughout Tolkien's studies over his works of a lifetime. It's also great to exploit the book as a unique decorative object. Arrived in just perfect shape!

This edition is a nice addition to my collection of Tolkien books. I probably won't live to see another significant anniversary edition, like the centenary edition. Thus, it is a significant collector book for me. (I risk) opening it and see the beautiful painted pictures of Tolkien's drawings - it really bring back good memories of the 1st time I read the book and it (now) creates new images of how I envisioned Bilbo would be troddling Middle Earth again. Its a great book! '

If you like Tolkien's stories and imaginary worlds, you are probably wondering about how he himself was seeing them. And that artbook is a perfect answer. Tolkien, as many other educated people of his age, was not a bad painter, so he managed to describe what he imagined in sketches. Besides, he had undying passion for maps, and you can find some of his wonderful maps here.

Maravilhoso, qualidade extrema

Es war eine Offenbarung, Tolkien nicht nur als Schriftsteller zu sehen, der mit seiner wunderbaren Sprache seine Leser begeistert, sondern in ihm auch den Künstler zu sehen, der mit Stift und Feder Mittelerde lebendig werden lässt. Einfach ein Allroundgenie, ein großartiger Schöpfer einer Welt, die er durch Sprache und Bilder, die er Stück für Stück bis zu seiner Zufriedenheit verbesserte, zum Leben erweckte. Ein tolles Buch, dass ich nur empfehlen kann!

Lots of great images and information. Bought as a present for a LOTR fan. Present was well received.

Un bel ouvrage en fourreau qui fait le pendant à "The art of the lord of the rings". Même format donc parfait pour un set.

Per ogni appassionato, le tavole originali delle opere di Tolkien sono un must...un'opera davvero completa e ricca di dettagli.