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."