J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography

Greenwood Biographies

by Leslie Ellen Jones

This meticulous biography traces Tolkien's life from his boyhood in South Africa to his formative school years in England, his college years at Oxford, and his career as an influential scholar and revolutionary writer. His immensely popular books are discussed in great detail, from their inception as ideas through their publication and remarkable legacy. This biography will appeal to students who are fans of Tolkien's books, as well as those who are new to the world of Middle Earth. Included are an extensive bibliography of poems, fiction, and scholarly work written by Tolkien, and a further reading section listing important biographies, letter collections, and critical studies of Tolkien's works. A timeline provides the reader with a comprehensive list of the events of his life and career.

Tolkien's outer life was relatively calm, yet his scholarship and stories are remembered as one of the 20th century's most astonishing achievements. First as a student at Oxford University, then as a professor, Tolkien was fascinated with languages and philology and used the worlds he studied to shape the one he was creating. After years of nominal success, The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings erupted into popularity, bringing fantasy fiction to the forefront of popular culture in America, and ultimately the world.

Genres: Reference, History, Biography

176 pages, Hardcover

Published April 28, 2003

Reviews

[Sherill Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful read! Very short. Only 137 pages to the actual biography. It’s part of the “Greenwood Biographies” series that is aimed at high schools and public libraries. I bought mine second-hand (AbeBooks). It used to reside in the Kaneland High School Library in Maple Park, Illinois. (So, the library’s book pocket informs me.)

Part of my enthusiasm is probably that I just came form Ron Chernow’s 1033-page biography: Mark Twain”. (That’s not to disparage Mr. Chernow’s book. I thought it was very good.) It’s very, very readable, and very informative for its length. I gained some new insights that will change how I read LOTR when I next read it.

I really don’t have any criticisms of this book. It does what it was designed for. It’s a simple biography, geared towards a specific reading level, that allows the reader to learn essential facts that they can then use to write a book report in a timely fashion.

This book reminded me very much of the 2019 film “Tolkien” starring Nicholas Hoult as J. R. R. Tolkien. It didn’t go into lots of minutiae. It was succinct, essential and enjoyable.
Next up is Humphrey Carpenter’s “Tolkien” and a couple of books on the Inklings.

Happy reading!

P.S: This is probably more like a 3-star book due to its brevity. It was just so enjoyable that I bumped it up a star. If you are looking for lot of details, this might not be your book.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the book was good biographical information on Tolkien. However, the last few chapters were an analysis of the Lord of the Rings books. I like the books, but I had wanted to learn about Tolkien.

[Ado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing biography of my favorite fantasy writer, showed me that when you know your passion and work toward it you'll be satisfied of yourself..