[Galadriel55]

If you are introduced to Tolkien as a child, it's probably better to start with TH, because the concepts are less complex, and never mind the vocabulary. If you are trying to get a teenager or an adult to read both TH and LOTR, start with the latter one! I've talked to a few adults who have read TH first and didn't get past The Fellowship, because they said "It's TH all over again - what's the point of reading this?" and they say so because they don't know any better. I guess it really depends on the age (well...maybe maturity and reading level and the ability to grasp concepts and read in between the lines) which one you should read first.