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.

CHAPTER

List of illustrations

Note on the Text

Author's note

I An Unexpected Party

II Roast Mutton

  III A Short Rest

  IV Over Hill and Under Hill

V Riddles in the Dark

  VI Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire

 VII Queer Lodgings

VIII Flies and Spiders

  IX Barrels Out of Bond

X A Warm Welcome

  XI On the Doorstep

 XII Inside Information

XIII Not at Home

XIV Fire and Water

 XV The Gathering of the Clouds

XVI A Thief in the Night

XVII The Clouds Burst

XVIII The Return Journey

XIX The Last Stage

The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the-water inside front cover

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