Spotlight on the Hobbit

To celebrate the anniversary of the publication of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, I thought I would share a number of Hobbit related items from Christian Book Distributors.  You can help support Hope's Reason Ministries by purchasing any of these items through the links below.

The Hobbit, Sixtieth Anniversary Edition, Illustrated by Alan Lee By J.R.R. Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin This beautifully illustrated 60th anniversary edition of The Hobbit is a great modern classic and prelude to The Lord of the Rings. Whisked away from his comfortable unambitious life in his hobbit hole in Bag End by Gandalf the wizard and a company of dwarves, Bilbo Baggins finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoarde of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Although quite reluctant to take part in this quest, Bilbo surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and his skill as a burglar.

A Hobbit Devotional: Bilbo Baggins and the Bible By Ed Strauss / Barbour Publishing "The road goes ever on and on. . . . " Here's some encouragement for when you sit down to rest! Drawing 60 life lessons from Tolkien's beloved book and the companion movie, this engaging devotional offers Scripture and narrative insights to help you identify with humble-yet-courageous Bilbo and his triumphant journey "there and back again."

A Hobbit Journey: Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth Unabridged Audiobook on CD By Matthew Dickerson / Oasis Audio Llc

Finding God in The Hobbit By Jim Ware / SaltRiver With a simple hobbit in a simple hobbit-hole, Tolkien opened the window on a whole new world that has captured millions of imaginations and changed the face of literature forever. But this story of unexpected adventure is far more than goblin attacks, dragon-hoards, and riddles in the dark. It's a journey that changes a simple hobbit named Bilbo---and us---along the way. Ware, coauthor of Finding God in The Lord of the Rings, once again unlocks the mysteries of Middle-earth with insightful reflections on the scenes and characters of The Hobbit. You'll discover the deep connections that link this fantasy world to our own and unveil the mysterious workings of the Author of the Tale in your own life. Just as the very ordinary Bilbo Baggins was caught up in a web of momentous events beyond his understanding, so you also are part of a larger story. Travel to Middle-earth to discover some ways in which God is still very much at work in our world---and has a bigger purpose for you than you can ever imagine.

The Christian World of The Hobbit By Devin Brown / Abingdon Press * Brave Bilbo Baggins, wise Gandalf, deceitful Gollum, the sly dragon Smaug . . . Tolkien's intriguing characters leap off the pages of The Hobbit. But in what ways was his narrative influenced by his Christian beliefs? In this fascinating guide, Brown uncovers key elements to help you understand how Tolkien's nuanced faith is "absorbed into the story." 192 pages, softcover from Abingdon.

Exploring J.R.R. Toilkien's The Hobbit By Corey Olsen / Houghton-mifflin

A Hobbit Journey: Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth By Matthew Dickerson / Brazos Press The Lord of the Rings trilogy has delighted millions of fans worldwide in both book and movie form. With the theatrical release of the two-part film The Hobbit slated for 2012 and 2013, intensive attention will once again turn to J. R. R. Tolkien's classic works. In a culture where truth is relative and morality is viewed as old-fashioned, Matthew Dickerson welcomes the chance to view the world through hobbit eyes: we have free will, our choices matter, and living a morally heroic life is possible. A Hobbit Journey: Discovering the Enchantment of of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth is an engaging and morally thought-provoking book. A Tolkien expert, Matthew Dickerson shows how a Christian worldview and Christian themes undergird Tolkien's Middle-earth writings and how they are fundamentally important to understanding his vision. This revised and expanded edition of Following Gandalf includes new material on torture, social justice, and the importance of the body.

The Art of the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien By J.R.R. Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin

The History of the Hobbit Boxed Set By John D. Rateliff / Houghton-mifflin A comprehensive new examination of how Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece, including many little-known illustrations and maps by Tolkien himself. Chapter by chapter in two volumes, Rateliff annotates the numerous changes made before and after publication, as the story continued to grow in Tolkien's mind. Also includes Rateliff's anniversary edition of the novel. Slipcased hardcovers. Houghton Mifflin.