Tolkien over others

[Cailín]

Discuss what makes Tolkien's a better writer over others.

I've read the works of David eddings and read a few chapters of WOT. I found neither as good or compelling to read ( and re-read) as the works of Tolkien's.

I understand what you mean here, but can you honestly analyze and discuss why Tolkien is a better writer after having only read two other fantasy works (and by writers I for one don't hold in high esteem)?

It's all a matter of personal preference anyway. The things you list are valid points, but I find Jack Vance's names very appealing as well and I love the language use of T.H. White almost as much as I love Tolkien's. Though Tolkien probably has created the most detailed world and no one has yet equaled the attention he gave to history and languages, George Martin is another writer who really manages to make a world both rich in wonder and very believable at the same time. Tolkien might have been one of the first who used the plot of an innocent little farmer's boy (because that's basically what Frodo is as well) who - through some harsh twist of fate - has to save the world, but it is not an original idea either. So I guess the question should really be why do you like Tolkien more?

I'd personally recommend all the authors I have mentioned above, by the way.