The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook: Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from Tolkien

"It's a dangerous business, going out your front door."

In the age of men, one must face myriad challenges: epic quests, imminent danger, the evil gaze of Sauron... okay, so maybe not. But wouldn't life's day-to-day challenges be easier if one were to take a cue from the diminutive hobbit? With The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook as your guide, you'll be ready to brave the difficulties, discomforts, and occasional orcs you may encounter.

• Become acquainted and form fellowships with the peoples of Middle-earth: elves, dwarves, wizards, Ents, and more
• Learn about the dangerous creatures that lurk in the lands beyond the Shire: orcs, wolves, and dragons
• Use hobbit tactics of running away, hiding, and disappearing (with or without the use of magical rings)
• Discover the proper etiquette for the delivery and solving or riddles

So put another log on the fire, cut another slice of seed-cake (is it time for elevenses already?) and curl up with The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook. You'd never consider going on a nasty adventure, but it's always best to be prepared, right?

Peter Archer is an editor at Adams Media. He subscribes to the New Yorker, the Economist, and the New York Review of Books; keeps a copy of Dante's Divine Comedy on his nightstand; and has an M.Litt. from the University of St. Andrews. Which makes him as much of a pseudointellectual as he needs to be to write this book.

Scott Francis is an editor for Writer's Digest Books. He is the author of Monster Spotter's Guide to North America, and co-author of The Writer's Book of Matches.

Jeff Gerke is an author of fiction and nonfiction including such books as the Operation: Firebrand novels. He has worked as an editor for numerous publications and is the founder of Marcher Lord Press, an indie publishing company dedicated to producing the finest in Christian science fiction, fantasy, and other wonderfully weird genres. Visit him on the web at www.marcherlordpress.com and www.wherethemapends.com

Peter Archer is an editor at Adams Media. He subscribes to the New Yorker, the Economist, and the New York Review of Books; keeps a copy of Dante's Divine Comedy on his nightstand; and has an M.Litt. from the University of St. Andrews. Which makes him as much of a pseudointellectual as he needs to be to write this book.

Scott Francis is an editor for Writer's Digest Books. He is the author of Monster Spotter's Guide to North America, and co-author of The Writer's Book of Matches.

Jeff Gerke is an author of fiction and nonfiction including such books as the Operation: Firebrand novels. He has worked as an editor for numerous publications and is the founder of Marcher Lord Press, an indie publishing company dedicated to producing the finest in Christian science fiction, fantasy, and other wonderfully weird genres. Visit him on the web at www.marcherlordpress.com and www.wherethemapends.com