Two New Books at Amazon
- Xoanon @ 10:14 PST J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter ISBN: 0618057021 The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien edited by Humphrey Carpenter with the assistance of Christopher Tolkien ISBN: 0618056998 Amazon properly shows their publication dates as June 6, but I'm assuming the "ships within 24 hours" legend means they've received their stock and the books are available. "Of course The Lord of the Rings does not belong to me. It has been brought forth and must now go its appointed way in the world, though naturally I take a deep interest in its fortunes, as a parent would of a child. I am comforted to know that it has good friends to defend it against the malice of its enemies." --JRRT
At long last these two books have shipped:
The biography is wonderfully readable, accessible and insightful, widely praised upon original publication: "Carpenter has an eye for the magic... a 'quiet life', such as Tolkien's, becomes an in-depth act of relish." -- Washington Post
There are real treasures to be found in The Letters that are available nowhere else. I'd be surprised if many who have not sampled its more than 350 letters aren't skeptical, but this is the only place Tolkien can be found talking about his work and his characters in his own voice, and much of the correspondence collected is from ordinary fans and admirers wanting clarification on one matter or another. This is the first American paperback edition, newly expanded with extensive and extremely helpful additions to the index provided by Tolkien scholars Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (authors of J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist & Illustrator coming in paperback this fall). Autumn 1971, Letter 328: