Since 1937, few books have provided more pleasure than J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. Originally published in England with a first printing of 1,500 copies, The Hobbit is now nearing its 65th anniversary, with fifty million of copies in more than forty languages. For readers throughout the world, this classic novel offers an enchanting introduction to the imaginary world of Middle-earth, home of the fantastical creatures depicted in The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and Tolkien's other captivating tales. But The Hobbit is more than an entertaining fantasy adventure story; it has significant roots in European folklore, mythology, fairy story, and language. In The Annotated Hobbit, renowned Tolkien scholar Douglas A. Anderson expertly explores these roots.

Newly expanded, revised, and completely redesigned for a new generation of readers, The Annotated Hobbit is the authoritative explication of the sources, references, characters, places, and things of Tolkien's timeless novel. The many new annotations in this edition reflect more than a decade's additional scholarship on the history and evolution of The Hobbit. The Annotated Hobbit shows how Tolkien worked as a writer; what his interests and inspirations were (literary, linguistic, and otherwise); and how these pertain to the fascinating particulars of Middle-earth. Readers will discover
• information about Tolkien's influences, which included Beowulf, the Brothers Grimm, Rudyard Kipling, William Morris, and E. A. Wyke Smith's The Marvellous Land of Snergs
• valuable background information about Tolkien's life and the publishing history of The Hobbit, including a complete account of changes to the text over the years
• new material by Tolkien—a few never-before-published poems (one called "Glip" about a Gollum-like creature, written a few years before The Hobbit) and the long version of "The Quest of Erebor" (a chapter-sized retelling of the story of The Hobbit from Gandalf's point of view)

Integrated with Anderson's notes and placed alongside the fully restored and corrected text of the original story are more than 150 lavish illustrations from all over the world. This artwork displays vivid visual interpretations of The Hobbit specific to each of the cultures—from Japan to Estonia, Finland to Romania—that have embraced Middle-earth. Many of Tolkien's original line drawings, maps, diagrams, and color paintings are also included.

Anderson is eminently qualified to present and comment on this wealth of material. An expert in the history of fantasy literature in general and Tolkien's work in particular, Anderson has written essays on the textual history and evolution of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings that have appeared in most editions of those works published in English for the past fifteen years.

Anderson's revelations in The Annotated Hobbit will surely result in a deeper appreciation among all readers of what J.R.R. Tolkien truly accomplished in The Hobbit and why his work has endured.