content: Tolkein is by far the most overrated author I have ever read! The meticulous attention to detail does not create vivid imagery, rather it bogs down the entire story. Have you noticed how the pace of the book seems to speed up toward the end. It's almost as if his editor's said, "Um, describing every tree in the forest is nice, but do you think you could wrap things up soon?"With respect to you Tolkein fanboys out there, this book is garbage. I wouldn't line a litter box with this junk. If you enjoy being bored to tears by minutia, this book is for you. Everyone else, stay the hell away!