Before the Ring, there was a dragon. The Hobbit is the charming and thrilling prelude to The Lord of the Rings, where Bilbo Baggins—an unassuming hobbit—embarks on a grand adventure with a band of dwarves to reclaim their stolen treasure from the fierce dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo encounters trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and a mysterious creature named Gollum, whose "precious" possession will change the fate of the world. Packed with humor, heart, and wonder, this timeless classic is the perfect gateway into the world of Middle-earth and the adventure that started it all.

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973) was an English author, scholar, and linguist best known for creating The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954–1955). Born in South Africa, he moved to England as a child and later studied at Oxford, where he became a professor of Anglo-Saxon and English literature. A veteran of World War I, Tolkien drew on his love of mythology, language, and medieval literature to craft Middle-earth, an intricate fantasy world with its own histories, cultures, and languages like Elvish. His works, blending epic adventure with deep themes of heroism, friendship, and the struggle against evil, redefined modern fantasy. Though initially slow to gain popularity, The Lord of the Rings became a global phenomenon, influencing countless writers and artists. Tolkien continued expanding his legendarium until his death in 1973, with posthumous works like The Silmarillion (1977) further enriching his mythos. Today, he is celebrated as one of literature's greatest world-builders.