Tolkien: The Authorized Biography [Hardcover]

Humphrey Carpenter (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 286 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin; First Edition edition (June 29, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395253608
• ISBN-13: 978-0395253601
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #852,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, May 17, 2000

By 

mathilde de gardin "mathilde_de_gardin" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tolkien: The Authorized Biography (Hardcover)

This very well written account of Tolkiens life as a boy, a husband, writer and professor takes you away from where you are into the heart of Tolkien's being. It covers his writtings in depth, the making of languages, of peoples, of maps. But also his academic life, Beowulf, the Islandic Saga, the inklings, his relationship with C.S. Lewis, his day-to-day habits, his children, his religion. It breathes a wonderful inspiring atmosphere. I've read is several times now, and it still moves me.

This biography is a gem in its own right. You won't regret buying it.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tolkien buffs will want to read this authorized biography, July 4, 2008

By 

Gary E. Gilley "Pastor-Teacher at Southern Vi... (Springfield, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tolkien: The Authorized Biography (Mass Market Paperback)

With Tolkien mania on the rise again, Tolkien buffs will want to read this authorized biography. This is a well written, interesting biography that fleshes out Tolkien's personal and professional life. Tolkien's relationship to C. S. Lewis is detailed, including the part he allegedly played in Lewis' conversion. Whether Tolkien himself was a Christian is doubtful. He was a Roman Catholic and extremely religious, but his relationship with Christ is not explored in this book.

Those who like Hobbits and Middle-earth will enjoy this biography; all others should skip this one.