Wow! Thank you everyone for all of your positive feedback! Starting this thread, I never expected to arouse the intellect of so many people.
Many points were raised that have never crossed my mind, I think it's time I re-read Tolkien's works
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Everyone here is so well mannered and thoughtful and I am looking forward to a long stay in this community. Thanks again for the kind input!
P.S. - Just curious, how many times have all of you read the books? I have read The Hobbit three times, The Lord of the Rings twice, Tree and Leaf once, Letters From Father Christmas once, Farmer Giles of Ham once, Smith of Wootton Major once, and the Silmarillion half-way. (I put it on hold to Terry Brooks' Shannara series which I recommend to all of you.)