J. R. R. Tolkien: The man who created The Lord of the rings

Who is the finest writer in the English language? J.R.R. Tolkien keeps getting the nod in survey after survey. His books – particularly The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings – sell in huge numbers to generation after generation of readers. In this engaging, lavishly illustrated biography, Michael Coren paints a colourful, loving portrait of everyone's favourite writer. Tolkien was born in South Africa, lost his parents while still very young, excelled in school back in England (though having fun always came first), fought in World War I, became a first-rate academic – famous for riding his bicycle through Oxford, academic gown billowing behind him – and created unparalleled works of fantasy the world has come to love.