An indispensable and comprehensive guide to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit covering all the characters, places and objects included in the seminal book that first introduced the world of Middle Earth. The prequel to The Lord of the Rings (1954), The Hobbit (1937) is an extraordinarily rich work that first introduced us to the world of Middle Earth and sets up the fantasy world that would be built upon at greater length in Tolkien's later books. Peter Jackson's trilogy of films based on this single work have helped to create a new generation of Tolkien fans. In this vast, wide-ranging volume there are detailed entries on all the characters, creatures and places encountered in the story, as well as others on the languages, sources of inspiration and the iconic objects and events. Richly illustrated with original colour drawings, this indispensable guide will allow you to explore Middle Earth in greater depth, decipher the Dwarves' alphabet and discover the legendary sources where Tolkien found his inspiration.