The hobbit-hole in question belongs to one Bilbo Baggins, an upstanding member of a "little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded dwarves." He is, like most of his kind, well off, well fed, and best pleased when sitting by his own fire with a pipe, a glass of good beer, and a meal to look forward to. Certainly this particular hobbit is the last person one would expect to see set off on a hazardous journey; indeed, when Gandalf the Grey stops by one morning, "looking for someone to share in an adventure," Baggins fervently wishes the wizard elsewhere. No such luck, however; soon 13 fortune-seeking dwarves have arrived on the hobbit's doorstep in search of a burglar, and before he can even grab his hat or an umbrella, Bilbo Baggins is swept out his door and into a dangerous adventure.

List of illustrations

Note on the Text

Author's note

An Unexpected Party

Roast Mutton

A Short Rest

Over Hill and Under Hill

Riddles in the Dark

Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire

Queer Lodgings

Flies and Spiders

Barrels Out of Bond

A Warm Welcome

On the Doorstep

Inside Information

Not at Home

Fire and Water

The Gathering of the Clouds

A Thief in the Night

The Clouds Burst

The Return Journey

The Last Stage

The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the-water

Thror's Map

The Trolls

The Mountain-path

The Misty Mountains looking West

Beorn's Hall

The Elvenking's Gate

Lake Town

The Front Gate

The Hall at Bag-End

Map of Wilderland