A fantastic contemporary classic and The Lord of the Rings' introduction. When Bilbo popped his head out of the door once more, Smaug undoubtedly appeared to be dozing out, almost lifeless and gloomy, with barely a snoring more than a smell of hidden steam. He was about to step out onto the floor when he saw a sudden thin, piercing crimson ray emerge from beneath Smaug's drooping left eyelid. He was merely feigning sleep. He was observing the entrance to the tunnel! When Gandalf the wizard and a group of dwarves whisk Bilbo Baggins away from his cosy, unambitious life in his hobbit-hole in Bag End, he finds himself involved in a scheme to steal the wealth of Smaug the Magnificent, a dragon. 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! The text of this edition has been fully corrected and revised in collaboration with Christopher Tolkien and is accompanied by a wealth of beautiful watercolour paintings and delicate pencil drawings from Alan Lee.