J. R. R. Tolkien, the beloved author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, is consistently voted the finest writer in the English language. In this lavishly illustrated biography, author Michael Coren tells the story of the man behind the books.

From his early days in South Africa and the untimely death of his parents, to his Oxford years and his long, loving years with his wife and children, Tolkien's life was colored by his extra-ordinary imagination. Tolkien continues to inspire generation after generation of readers through the complexity and vividness of his creations. J. R. R. Tolkien is a timely and insightful look at the man behind the classics, suitable for all ages.