I think "condescending" is a good word to describe this book. I was originally going to pick "preachy" and that may also be a good word, but "condescending" definitely works, too. ( )

This is a gentle little book that will, of course, especially appeal to fans of Tolkien. As a lifelong tree-hugger who values a unity-based approach to life, so many of the reflections here resonated with me. I had never thought about The Hobbit in this way, and of course what I am desperate to do now is... a reread! No wonder I loved these books so much when so much contained within their worlds aligns with my own beliefs and hopes. This book is especially timely right now, given the increase in quietude and simple pursuits since April 2020.

This is a unique and engaging self-help book, perfect for any fan of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Noble Smith encourages readers to take a step back from their hectic lives and the many problems that they deal with on a day-to-day basis, and live in a more simplistic manner, just like the hobbits of Middle-Earth.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have been completely enamored by the hobbits and their way of life ever since I first picked up Tolkien’s books. Good food and cheer, what could be better than that? It seems that Noble Smith shares my thoughts on this matter, and really gives us a handbook to following the Hobbits’ example. One of the chapters has such a simple, yet overlooked message. Sleep well. Yeah, that’s it. As simple as it sounds, how many of us actually turn off our TVs and computers at a decent hour and go to bed? Noble even says, “If you’re reading this book right now and you’re tired, put it down and go to bed.” I also thought that the chapter on love was brilliant. Noble has us think about where we currently base our ideas of ‘romance and love’. How many of us are constantly looking at celebrity gossip magazines and acting so surprised when these people split up and both go after ‘the next best thing’? Smith writes about Tolkien and his wife, Edith, and the obstacles they overcame to be together. “The Wisdom of the Shire tells us: True love must be defended bravely with the soul of a warrior, and yet tended with the patience of a gardener.”

I was very happy with this book, and I sure hope others will decide to pick it up and add some Hobbit wisdom to their lives. You won’t be disappointed. ( )

Full review at: http://thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress...

Ten Second Synopsis:
Hobbit-nature is deconstructed in handily themed chapters as a means of providing guidance toward a life filled with the satisfaction already attained by Hobbit-kind.

A warning, right off the bat. If you are an Uber-fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, born in the last 30 odd years, who has dedicated time and effort and as many internet resources as possible to researching Tolkien's life, work and philosophy, this book is NOT for you. Walk away. Now. Seriously.

If however, you are a fan of Tolkien's work, you enjoyed the Hobbit as a child (or came late to the party, as an adult) and have a soft spot in your heart for Hobbits but a few holes in your knowledge of Tolkien's canon, step right up!

Clearly, Smith's purpose in writing is not to provide an error-free, meticulously researched and analytically conceptualised theory of Hobbit-life intended as a strict, literal handbook for organising one's life. It's a nice light read, with some timely reminders as to how a return (or reimagining) of some of life's simple pleasures might increase personal happiness in those commited to engaging in them.

It's a bit meandering and a bit repetitive in places, and the footnotes often have little or nothing to do with the sentence to which they are attached. Smith refers to the movies as well as the books, and this may annoy the purists out there (who should already have moved on, had they taken my initial warning in the spirit in which it was intended). But overall, it's just a nice, cosy sort of a book.

I would recommend keeping it on your bedside table or in your favourite reading nook, to dip into every now and again when you'd like a not-too-challenging and reasonably uplifting read. ( )

This review is for the audiobook version of The Wisdom of the Shire by Noble Smith, read by Simon Vance.

This book had me utterly charmed at the dedication, which is a hint at all the goodness that lies ahead. There is no way to put the book down after reading that gem.

Much of the wisdom presented is common to 21st century denizens with any civic conscientiousness and environmental awareness- reuse, recycle, eat local, make nice with your own personal Gollum- but presented through the lens of Hobbitness, the message has a freshness and appeal that is hard to resist. Do not, however, think for a minute that the Hobbit angle is simply a gimmick. Smith is a deep thinker with keen intellect, a big, generous heart, and a wicked knowledge of The Lord of the Rings. He has captured the essence of Tolkien's lands and characters and seamlessly relates them to life in our stressed, hurried, consumer world. Each and every chapter gave me something to enjoy, to take away and ponder, to apply to my own life. From the big (challenge corporate and governmental corruption) to the simple (get more sleep!), Smith's suggestions are inspired and inspiring. And read in Vance's delightfully British voice, they are warm and inviting.

The Wisdom of the Shire will be enjoyed not only by devoted Tolkien fans, but also by anyone with a passing familiarity with the books or films.

I won a copy of this audiobook through Goodreads First Reads. Yet now, after having basked in its good spirit, its arrival on my doorstep seems less like a freebie won, and more like a gift received. Thank you Goodreads and Noble Smith.

The Shire Lives! ( )