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Summary: "Ignatius Rising" Is a Marvel of Theology and Geometry!
Review: "A green hunting cap squeezed the top of the fleshy balloon of a head." "Taking the pigtail in one of his paws, he pressed it warmly to his wet moustache." Between those sentences lies "A Confederacy of Dunces," the masterpiece of John Kennedy Toole, a mystery of which for me has always been how any mere human could have come up with that set of fabulous characters, that amazingly original dialogue, those brilliantly off-beat and hysterically funny situations. It's pretty clear now, with Nevils and Hardy's terrific biography of John Kennedy Toole, "Ignatius Rising," that we'll have to settle for as much "how" as they've been able to come up with, for this book is a masterwork of plumbing. While there is in the biography lots and lots about all other aspects of his interesting life, the genesis of his writing gift (I agree with Dan Acker below) is securely hidden. But I'm not sure we should want to know how Toole was able to materialize, for instance, combinations such as the following: "Envy would gnaw at Myrna's musky vitals." Or "Ignatius emitted a little Paradise gas." Or, on a banner, "Crusade for Moorish Dignity." To choose just one of the many things "Ignatius Rising" IS able to uniquely provide regarding Toole and his life, Nevils and Hardy's discussion of the Simon and Schuster episodes, as particular and unusual as they were, has provided clues, at least, as to how getting a book published works. I had no idea that any publisher, let alone one of Robert Gottlieb's stature, even then, would take the time he did to encourage a new writer not yet signed to a contract. His letters are amazing examples of patience, encouragement, warmth, intelligence, and, most important, connectedness. No wonder he is one of the world's premier editors! It's not necessary to have read "Confederacy of Dunces" to love this biography, but if you buy and read "Ignatius Rising" first, you will for sure be back at the bookstore in a flash to confirm for yourself what the fuss has been about for more than twenty years. Congratulations to Rene Pol Nevils and Deborah George Hardy! I thought we would never see a book like this; that John Kennedy Toole would be hidden forever.
Rating: 
Summary: Informative in a Text Book Kind of Style
Review: After reading "A Confederacy of Dunces," I was anxious to learn as much as I could about Ken Toole. As a result, I ordered "Ignatius Rising" and began reading it as soon as it arrived.
This book taught me things I did not know about Ken Toole, but was not a fun read. It read more like a text book. The facts were there, they just weren't all that interesting. (A little surprising since the events and people in Ken Toole's life seem to have been quite interesting.)
I respect the authors for not using creative license in their storytelling, but it made the book fairly boring.
What I enjoyed the most were the letters written by Toole and Gottleib themselves. These letters provided more insight into the Pultizer Prize winning author than the entire rest of the book.
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Summary: Learn the twisted story behind Toole's life and death
Review: Any fan of Confederacy of Dunces should naturally have an interest learning about the author, John Kennedy Toole. Misunderstood and over-protected throughout most of his life, Toole struggled with not only his writing, but as the authors would lead you to believe, also his sexuality. After reading this, one will notice many similarities and parallels between John Kennedy Toole and his famous character, Ignatius Reilly, from their social awkwardness to their dependence on their mothers.
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Summary: A Fascinating Look at a Tormented Soul
Review: Ever since I read "A Confederacy of Dunces" and heard the legend about how it got published, I have been interested in the character of its author. This biography provides an interesting look at the life of John Kennedy Toole and sheds some light on a complex man whose inner demons finally destroyed his spirit and ultimately, his life. His mother, probably the greatest influence on John, is drawn as vividly as he is, and comes across as a fascinating and maddening woman who nonetheless always believed in her son's work. Their relationship is at the core of John's life as well as his pain. The ultimate tragedy for us readers is that we won't ever see any more of his work. John's tragedy was that he thought no one would ever want to. A well documented character study that is a must read for anyone who is a fan of Toole's masterpiece!
Rating:
Summary: Informative
Review: I finished Ignatius Rising very quickly, maybe because of my great interest in the book A Confederacy of Dunces. There is certainly a wealth of information here for the Dunces fan. I must say right off that Gottlieb ,the N Y editor, seemed to want the book to be perfect or maybe was just making excuses because something in the book offended him. I didn't feel he was really trying to help Toole, more like just stringing him along. The authors here play down that Gottlieb might have been offended with something in the book and therefore didn't give it it's due consideration. I still don't buy that, after all Gottlieb read the m.s. so he must have realized that Dunces was a masterpiece. I think editors having so much power over an artist's work can be a little intoxicating and blinding, at least this may have prooved true for the editor in question here. I don't really know of course and there are still unanswered questions in this regard upon completing this informative work. There are facts here I never knew, like there being an earlier version of Dunces with Ignatius being called something else. Towards the end of the book the tragic visitation of Toole's depression makes for tough reading. The authors deserve a lot of credit for digging out this much info on Dunces and Toole. I just can't say after reading this tragic story that I walk away from this book with an all together good feeling.
Rating: 
Summary: Great subject, poor execution.
Review: I really, really wanted to enjoy this book. However, the writing is about what you would expect from two women (who remarkably resemble Mrs. Levy) who took a writing course because they had nothing better to do. They decided to make the end-product of their course this biography. I love New Orleans, I lived uptown, and "Confederacy" is one of my favorite books. Alas, this book does give good information (typically in the form of unadulterated correspondence from Mr. Toole) about John Kennedy Toole, but the execution is stunted.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I truly enjoyed reading Ignatius Rising. I particularly liked the way the authors wove the history of New Orleans culture into the story of Mr. Toole's life. But by far, the correspondence between Mr. Toole, his mother and the publisher was the most facsinating. A must read!!!
Rating:
Summary: A sadly compelling book.
Review: If you're reading this review you obviously have a love affair with Confederacy, the single greatest novel to grace the shelves of book stores throughout the world. You also have a desire to learn more about John Kennedy Toole. You will learn a great deal about the beloved creator of Ignatius, but it isn't all pleasant. Thelma was a horror show, and John's demise can hardly be directly linked to the failure of the book to be published. He was an alcoholic in the throes of a deep depression. A tortured soul who likely would have done himself in one way or another. The book does a great deal to shed light on the Gotlieb connection to the book and Toole. I found Robert Gotlieb not guilty as charged by the whacky Thelma Toole. In fact, Gotlieb comes off as a caring and kind editor. It is a great shame Toole couldn't/wouldn't work on revisions as suggested by Gotlieb. It may have helped him. Lastly, the authors did a good job. It will hopefully open the door for future scholarship on Toole. There are still many questions to be answered, but Rene and Deborah deserve our thanks (certainly mine, thank you ladies) for the first book to give us light into the life of this wonderful yet tragic soul. To all of the battered souls who had to endure Thelma to bring this book to light, my heartfelt thanks to you (I hope you actually read this to get the praise) for getting this masterpiece published. Peace and love to all who endure the people who just don't get the meaning of Confederacy.
Rating:
Summary: Informative but undistinguished
Review: Probably the best the authors could do given the circumstances. Great character description (esp. Thelma). Very interesting Belushi anecdote.
Rating: 
Summary: What a shame!
Review: This book was a terrible disappointment. The authors are apparently barely literate. How the heck did they get a book contract? The scant information here about the mysterious and tragic Ken Toole was useful, but presented in such a way as to be almost unreadable. I want more -- about his life, about his work. I want more -- but not by these authors.
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