Long before the successful films of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the imagination, creations, and characters of J.R.R. Tolkien captivated millions of readers around the world.

Who was the man who invented the intricate languages and the perfectly structured world of Middle-earth? J.R.R. Tolkien faced difficult years. He experienced the horrors of World War I. He was orphaned and poor. His guardian even forbade him from communicating with the girl he had fallen in love with.

A brilliant but particularly introverted scholar, he spent over fifty years developing the languages, history, peoples, and geography of Middle-earth. In doing so, he created a cohesive mythology that was based on his vast knowledge of early European history and the culture of Northern Europe.

This fantastical world enchanted entire generations, and J.R.R. Tolkien became a legend. The gripping biography by Dolin Duriez sheds light on known and unknown aspects of his life.

“An exciting and detailed account of the life and work of the author (...). This thorough and well-written biography captures the spirit of the Tolkien phenomenon and helps us to understand and appreciate his amazing achievement better.” (Brian Sibley, author of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Official Movie Guide).