Customer Reviews

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit (Cliffs Notes)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Although it is not a substitute for these four great books (there are so many errors and things like that), this Cliff Notes edition is a pretty good read for a fan of the books or a person struggling with them. It is a lot better than the Barron's Book Notes, to say the least. First, The Hobbit summary is really good. Except for a few minor inaccuracies, this is a very good summary of the Hobbit, probably the best one out there. Even the LOTR one is okay, except for they use all kinds of politically correct terms (Black Riders are Dark Riders), and other miscillany (the Hardy dude does not even mention where Bilbo is going, until the Rivendell part). So, if you need help with the books, this will suffice. Also of note: the whole part in the back about the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Ages is really a summary of the Silmarillion. Go figure.

While this Cliffs Notes is a fairly good synopsis of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it is nonetheless full of minor inaccuracies. For instance, Dr. Hardy uses the plural 'Dunedain' as a name for Aragorn, when he should have used the singular Dunadan. He states that Faramir and his company engage the 'men of the east' in Ithilien, when they in fact engaged the Southrons. Little things like calling 'The Old Forest' simply Old Forest, or "The Morannon" simply Morannon are annoying to the Tolkien purist. So is his habit of calling the Black Riders 'Dark Riders', a term which I suspect was used in an effort at political correctness by Dr. Hardy, though Professor Tolkien didn't use it. Calling Galadriel's powers 'psychic', as Dr. Hardy does, may not be wholly untrue, but it is hardly a word that captures the essence of her Elven magic. And speaking of Saruman's staff as a 'magic wand' also misses the mark, I think. To folks who have not read the book (who are after all the target audience, I suppose), this Cliffs Notes is a pretty good summary. To Tolkien fans with an eye for detail, finding all Dr. Hardy's little mistakes will at least provide an evenings entertainment.

Cliff Notes are the best resource guide to help understand the literature one is reading for a subject.
The other brand of Notes are not as comprehensive.

Absolute waste of money. The description of the Cliff Notes title did not descibe the contents of the book. It turns out to be Cliff notes for Lord of The Rings but almost nothing on The Hobbitt

I certainly wouldn't suggest reading the Notes instead of reading what is arguably the greatest book(s)ever written. But the Notes do have their uses. I chose to use Tolkien's books as an example in my final project for a high school writing course. I had read the entire series twice, but that had been three years earlier. I found the Notes useful for jogging my memory on some of the scenes, and for picking out examples to use in my project. I would never recommend reading Notes instead of the actual book in ANY case - that is such a waste - but especially not for Tolkien. If you are reading Tolkien for a class, consider yourself lucky, and take the opportunity to read this amazing set of books in its entirety. Use the Notes just to jog your memory and better understand these classic books.

I thought that this book was not that helpful. Instead of condensing the story chapter by chapter ( which I think is a good thing), the book condenses the whole story in one writing!
for example;
Lord of the rings/the fellowship of the ring. This book is split into: book one (3 pages) and book 2 (about 4 pages)

These oversimplified notes are truly abhorrent and inaccurate. Why not relax with a paperback edition of the true Lord of the Rings?

I thought that these Cliff Notes were a great help when I came to making an essay about the book that I never actually read. Although thsese cliff notes do lack everything that the book has to offer, I suggest that you read the book collection. After I did write that essay on the book, I read the whole Hobbit collection and I thought that those books were the best set that I've ever read!

So if you do want feel like you are that person in the book, and it's full of suspense, read the full book collection of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, you won't regret it, and you'll have a hard time putting the book down.

Some people are too gentle in describing this booklet. Perhaps they hope lazy students who rely upon Cliff's Notes will get what they deserve: a failing grade.

You might get a better idea of what The Lord of the Rings is about by reading the National Lampoon parody, Bored of the Rings. The first time I looked through this booklet I was astounded that anyone could put any faith in it.

To any English Lit. students who need to do a paper on Tolkien, I'll share with you the advice one of my favorite English professors gave to one of my American Lit. classes (but it's just as applicable): "Y'all need to learn the fine art of skimmin'!" Dr. Hinton, that was great advice. May it guide new generations of students away from Cliffs Notes.

The book is short because it is cliff's notes! Cliff's Notes are designed to be short! That's the purpose! HELLO! also, the cover page is the same for EVERY Cliff's Notes out there! Haven't you heard of these before (the Bible of college students!) if they weren't short, people would just read the actual novel and NOT the Cliff's Notes. (which is something i recommend highly) sorry to have made you feel stupid.