The Hobbits of Tolkien, 6

The word Hobbit was as much a magical word for Tolkien as hocus-pocus was for any fairy-tale magician. The word "Hobbit" evolved to be the single most important word that ever inspired him to invent a story. Day examines the origins of Tolkien's Hobbits, explores their shire, their society, and their significance in the epic tales of The lord of the rings, and, The Hobbit. -- adapted from back cover.