J.R.R. 托爾金（J.R.R. Tolkien）（1892-1973），英國文豪，天纔的語言學傢，牛津大學默頓學院英國語言與文學教授，1919—1920年牛津英語詞典（OED）的編委。他以瑰麗的想像和精深的語言，建立瞭一個英語世界的全新神話體係。托爾金的雄心壯誌不在於寫作一個傳奇故事，或一部史詩。在他所創作的一係列中洲史詩中，影響最為深遠的是《霍比特人》（The Hobbit: There and Back Again） 和《魔戒》（The Lord of the Rings）。這兩部巨作被譽為當代奇幻作品的鼻祖，至今已暢銷2.5億餘冊，被翻譯成60餘種語言。美國每年銷售的大約一億本平裝書中，就有四分之一可以追溯到托爾金的作品。《魔戒》被美國亞馬遜網絡書店票選為“兩韆年以來最重要的書”。由托爾金小說改編的電影《指環王》《霍比特人》掀起21世紀奇幻文藝的全麵復興。世界拜倒在他腳下。

吳剛，上海外國語大學副教授，英美文學博士。教文學教翻譯為生，讀文學做翻譯為樂，嗜書如命的永久性文學青年。

J.R.R. Tolkien's own description for the original edition: If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) -- if you do not already know all about these things -- much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period.

For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon , Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like noise.