Who is the most popular writer in the English language?
J. R. R. Tolkien keeps getting the nod in survey after survey with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings selling in huge numbers to generation after generation of enchanted readers.
In this engaging biography, Michael Coren paints a colourful, loving portrait of the man behind the writing.
Born in South Africa, Tolkien moved back to England at an early age because of his declining health.
After the death of his father, Tolkien’s mother, Mabel, worked hard to make ends meet and her discovery of the church of the Birmingham Oratory changed their lives.
With the help of Father Francis Xavier Morgan, Tolkien was moved to a good Grammar School due to his excellent academic capabilities.
Father Francis was to become the father-figure Tolkien didn’t have which would prove even more important when his mother died in his teens.
Tolkien married his childhood sweetheart, Edith, and she became his best friend and supported him through his endeavours and later, his fame.
Tolkien’s first poem was written at the start of the world war in 1914.
Illness brought his military career to an end making it possible for him to focus on his academic career and family.
By sheer chance, The Hobbit , a children’s story, came to the attention of publishers …
A sequel was requested … and The Lord of the Rings was born.
This biography of the world renowned author of high-fantasy stretches the twelve years it took for Tolkien to complete his masterpiece and reflects on the intricacies of his life.
‘An elegantly written biography’ The Times
‘An excellent new study...(with) merits of sober accuracy, sympathy and stylishness’ –Peter Lewis, Daily Mail
‘An extremely lively study’ – The Herald
‘An agreeably friendly biography...Coren follows the life diligently...and presents a fair picture of this good man’ – Allan Massie, Daily Telegraph
‘A revealing and deeply sympathetic study which should open the eyes of those who know him only as the begetter of Sherlock Holmes...Coren is an astute critic of Conan Doyle’s literary work.’ – Francis Wheen, Catholic Herald
‘Readers whose only knowledge of Conan Doyle is that he invented Sherlock Holmes should take a deep breath before opening this cogent and well-ordered account of an eventful life’ – Miles Donald, Literary Review
Michael Coren is also the author of biographies of G. K. Chesterton, H. G. Wells, G. S. Lewis, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He is a radio and television broadcaster and syndicated columnist based in Toronto.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
J. R. R. Tolkien keeps getting the nod in survey after survey with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings selling in huge numbers to generation after generation of enchanted readers.
In this engaging biography, Michael Coren paints a colourful, loving portrait of the man behind the writing.
Born in South Africa, Tolkien moved back to England at an early age because of his declining health.
After the death of his father, Tolkien’s mother, Mabel, worked hard to make ends meet and her discovery of the church of the Birmingham Oratory changed their lives.
With the help of Father Francis Xavier Morgan, Tolkien was moved to a good Grammar School due to his excellent academic capabilities.
Father Francis was to become the father-figure Tolkien didn’t have which would prove even more important when his mother died in his teens.
Tolkien married his childhood sweetheart, Edith, and she became his best friend and supported him through his endeavours and later, his fame.
Tolkien’s first poem was written at the start of the world war in 1914.
Illness brought his military career to an end making it possible for him to focus on his academic career and family.
By sheer chance, The Hobbit , a children’s story, came to the attention of publishers …
A sequel was requested … and The Lord of the Rings was born.
This biography of the world renowned author of high-fantasy stretches the twelve years it took for Tolkien to complete his masterpiece and reflects on the intricacies of his life.
Praise for Michael Coren
‘An elegantly written biography’ The Times
‘An excellent new study...(with) merits of sober accuracy, sympathy and stylishness’ –Peter Lewis, Daily Mail
‘An extremely lively study’ – The Herald
‘An agreeably friendly biography...Coren follows the life diligently...and presents a fair picture of this good man’ – Allan Massie, Daily Telegraph
‘A revealing and deeply sympathetic study which should open the eyes of those who know him only as the begetter of Sherlock Holmes...Coren is an astute critic of Conan Doyle’s literary work.’ – Francis Wheen, Catholic Herald
‘Readers whose only knowledge of Conan Doyle is that he invented Sherlock Holmes should take a deep breath before opening this cogent and well-ordered account of an eventful life’ – Miles Donald, Literary Review
Michael Coren is also the author of biographies of G. K. Chesterton, H. G. Wells, G. S. Lewis, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He is a radio and television broadcaster and syndicated columnist based in Toronto.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
