J. R. R. Tolkien is one of the most beloved and enigmatic writers of the twentieth century, yet surprisingly little is known about the personal life of the author of "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings." After a traumatic childhood, Tolkien experienced the bloody trenches of World War I, then lived most of his life as an Oxford scholar in a cloistered academic community. In this fascinating illustrated biography, author Daniel Grotta examines how much of Tolkien's personal experience fired his incredible imagination and led to the creation of Middle-earth and its inhabitants. This edition features full-color illustrations by the Brothers Hildebrandt, whose conceptions of Middle-earth and its denizens have brought Tolkien's life's work to vivid life for legions of fans around the world.
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JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN, the first child of Arthur and Mabel Tolkien, was born one hot Sunday morning in 1892 after a difficult labor. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN, the first child of Arthur and Mabel Tolkien, was born one hot Sunday morning in 1892 after a difficult labor. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Amazon.com:
2.3 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
No stars would have been more appropriate. . .
1 Nov 2000
By David Zampino
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
This is a work of minimal value, written by someone who seems to have an axe to grind.
The book left me with two impressions. The first impression is that the author did not really have anything new to contribute to an understanding of the life of Tolkien, instead relying on humorous anecdotes, rehashing of Tolkien's relationship with CS Lewis, and materials found elsewhere. The second impression is that the author bears a serious grudge against the Tolkien family for not permitting the access to family papers that was accorded to the authorized biographer, Humphrey Carpenter. This grudge is manifested in snide asides about Tolkien's literary executors. Finally, I must criticize the author for his excursus into the politics surrounding the Nigerian civil war. What this has to do with Tolkien is unclear at best.
Money is far better spent on Humphrey Carpenter's biography, and his edition of letters (especially the letters). It is in the letters where the spirit and genius of Tolkien best comes through.
Give this volume a miss.
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Grotta should have read Tolkien on Tolkien.
31 Jan 2001
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
I must say that as a college student I would like to have my 15 dollars returned to me from the purchase of this book. Although there are some interesting "facts" in this book, it is largely not credible. I believe Grotta used questionable resources in compiling this biography which Tolkien himself refutes in many of his letters. i.e. Grotta writes of Tolkien's garage work shop on Sandfield Rd., which in "The Letters of..." Tolkien himself states that he "...had never written any literary matter in it..." and that the room was only used by his secretary. Grotta was clearly perturbed at his lack of "access" and seemed to want to portray one of the most prolific writers in history as a "lazy" individual. Obviously Grotta has never balanced a teaching post at Oxford, an ill wife, several children, along with creating one of the most fully imagined "secondary worlds" ever created. Hats of to all things Middle Earth and Grotta back to the drawing board.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
A nominal effort by someone with an axe to grind.
15 Sep 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
This book left me with two impressions. The first impression is that the author did not really have anything new to contribute to an understanding of the life of Tolkien, instead relying on humorous anecdotes, rehashing of Tolkien's relationship with CS Lewis, and materials found elsewhere. The second impression is that the author bears a serious grudge against the Tolkien family for not permitting the access to family papers that was accorded to the authorized biographer, Humphrey Carpenter. This grudge is manifested in snide asides about Tolkien's literary executors. Finally, I must criticize the author for his excursus into the politics surrounding the Nigerian civil war. What this has to do with Tolkien is unclear at best.
Money is far better spent on Humphrey Carpenter's biography, and his edition of letters (especially the letters). It is in the letters where the spirit and genius of Tolkien best comes through.
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2.3 out of 5 stars
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