THE HOBBIT AND PHILOSOPHY

u003cpu003eu003cbu003eA philosophical exploration of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved classic—just in time for the December 2012 release of Peter Jackson's new film adaptation, u003ciu003eThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journeyu003c/iu003eu003c/bu003eu003c/pu003e u003cpu003eJ.R.R. Tolkien's u003ciu003eThe Hobbitu003c/iu003e is one of the best-loved fantasy books of all time and the enchanting "prequel" to u003ciu003eThe Lord of the Ringsu003c/iu003e. With the help of some of history's great philosophers, this book ponders a host of deep questions raised in this timeless tale, such as: Are adventures simply "nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things" that "make you late for dinner," or are they exciting and potentially life-changing events? What duties do friends have to one another? Should mercy be extended even to those who deserve to die?u003c/pu003e u003culu003e u003cliu003eGives you new insights into u003ciu003eThe Hobbitu003c/iu003e's central characters, including Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Gollum, and Thorin and their exploits, from the Shire through Mirkwood to the Lonely Mountainu003c/liu003e u003cliu003eExplores key questions about u003ciu003eThe Hobbitu003c/iu003e's story and themes, including: Was the Arkenstone really Bilbo's to give? How should Smaug's treasure have been distributed? Did Thorin leave his "beautiful golden harp" at Bag-End when he headed out into the Wild? (If so, how much could we get for that on eBay?)u003c/liu003e u003cliu003eDraws on the insights of some of the world's deepest thinkers, from Confucius, Plato, and Aristotle to Immanuel Kant, William Blake, and contemporary American philosopher Thomas Nagelu003c/liu003e u003c/ulu003e u003cpu003eFrom the happy halls of Elrond's Last Homely House to Gollum's "slimy island of rock," this is a must read for longtime Tolkien fans as well as those discovering Bilbo Baggins and his adventures "there and back again" for the first time.u003c/pu003e