The Fellowship of the Rings' Introduction to the Shire Is Perfect

Today, September 22 (by Shire-reckoning or otherwise), marks the twin birthdays of two of the finest halflings in all of fantasy fiction: Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, ringbearers, heroes of Middle-earth, and lovers of food, ale, pipeweed, and books. But while their journeys there and back again are much beloved, one of...