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Rating: 
Summary: A Virtual Cornucopia of Misinformation
Review: I must say that this biography created an odd sensation in me while in the midst of reading it. I was both enthusiastic and unsettled at the same time that it should be finished. The book is filled with ideas going in the wrong direction, misinformation, mediocre writing, a misrepresented Tolkien, a misrepresented Christopher Tolkien, a misrepresented Silmarillion, a misrepresented, ah, but I digress. The enthusiasm I felt was obviously about being able to complete it quickly, (it was written very simply, almost as if for a young adolescents), but the unsettlement arose from the fact that once I found some idea that was really out there, or some totally wrong info, I started to like looking for these, enjoying the non-fact filled fun of it all.
That is not to say that the book is all bad (hence the two stars) . Lacking the goodwill and blessings of the Tolkien Estatein writing this book, (that was given to the much praised Humphrey Carpenter,) he ends up basing it upon other writings, a few interviews of Tolkien fans and friends, and a large amount of guesswork, so he does a decent job of establishing Tolkien's early life and getting a few of the good professor's friends and old students to make a quote here and there.He also tells an interesting and factual (!!) tale of The Lord of the Rings' first print run and its subsequent print history. So far so good huh?
The problems start to arise almost at the begining when Grotta states that Tolkien was exceedingly lazy and noncommital, flitting from one project to another, hopelessly muddling things. While there is some degree of truth to this,there is no way anyone can say that these exaggerated terms are true.When you are a highly respected childrens author, , almost unarguably the best writer of English literature in this century, one of the highest decorated professors of language in western culture, and you create an entire world with history and multiple languages along with it, you don't really find time to be lazy.
Also, as in almost every other review of this book, Grotta shows a definate grudge against the Tolkien Estate, not pulling any punches when he mentions it. It is understandable that one might be hurt at the rejection, but hey, it is their choice who gets access to Estate holdings. You don't just let anyone who comes along wanting to write a biography have total and free access to your things, do you?
I will give him some slack because the main bulk of his text was written and published before the Silmarillion was released. This glaringly shows throughout the book though. He later (in a subsequent printing) includes a chapter about the Silmarillion, but he never goes back and fixes his inferrences about the early histories of Middle Earth. He says that there wasn't any evil before the creation of the world, but in the Silmarillion, the first part tells how Morgoth came to be before the creation! There are many more like this.
Another annoyance is in his new chapter on the Silmarillion, you can see that he just skimmed it, or maybe he just bought the cliff-notes. He makes out the Valequenta to be a lesser, almost nonessential work, (is he insane?), and the only real description of any of the stories found within is of Beren and Luthien. He does a quick and ugly job of it, making it sound rather boring, meanwhile he keeps saying that Thingol (the king and father of Luthien) is really Luthien's brother! Arrrggg.....
But one of the most glaring irresponsabilities is this, taking Christopher Tolkien's name and rubbing it around in the dirt. Grotta puts him down at almost every chance. He claims that Christopher actally rewrote huge sections of manuscript (in the Silmarillion), and that it could obviously be told because they weren't worded the way that Tolkien did in his other works, saying they were much more ameturish. Sorry bud, but there isn't any bit of ameture within any of his books, and there was never any intention of it being written in the same style. Actually, most of it was rewritten by Tolkien himself in an effort to fit in with his now published works (Hobbit and LOTR), and at the same time to condense it to a more readable narrative style, because the original works were to large to all be published together. He later goes on to say that he hopes that Cristopher doesn't have any intentions of writing his own fictions, Middle Earth or otherwise, because we can now see how poorly he writes. Ouch! On another note about Christopher, Grotta slips into calling him Tolkien as if it were his father's name, making for total confusion if your not paying close attention.
Another danger point of this book is the choice of artwork. Once again someone has taken the Hilderbrandt brothers' art and strewn it chaotically across the pages of a book. I guess it is rather fitting though that an irresponsibly written book should have irresponsible paintings. I know that these are just their interpetations, but come on, we don't have to make them so popular. Most of their work looks like it belongs in a children's fairy tale, which would be alright for the hobbit maybe, but perhaps they should have taken a que from Tolkien and when he changed his style to epic writing, they should have followed suit with epic paintings.Thay also seem to have a poor eye for the proper details, painting peoples and castles as if Tolkien didn't descibe them properly.
My final word is to avoid it at almost all costs, unless you find a cheap copy like I did to at least make the booksheves look nice.
Rating:
Summary: One thing I have to add...
Review: I agree with what has been said already in most of these reviews, but felt compelled to add that while Grotta got a lot of information concering LOTR wrong, and while he obviously did bear a grudge against Christopher Tolkien and the Tolkien estate, he did manage to give a rather acceptible cursory introduction to Tolkien, and the amount of time spent discussing the legal battle between Ace and Houghton Mifflin was enlightening, if not slanted. I'd suggest that if you're looking for an introductory biography that you don't intend to take as gospel and wish to read quickly, this is for you. Otherwise, keep your money and read Carpenter's.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent overview; easy read.
Review: I'm ordering a second copy for a dear friend. It's an easy read but is perfect for introducing someone who knows little of JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, others. I paged through the "authorized biography" (Grotta is not the "authorized" Tolkien biographer) at the bookstore and my first impression was that the "authorized"version was a bit verbose and certainly not as elegant; I also appreciate biographies by authors not given special access by the family -- one always wonders where allegiances lie. If you are already quite familiar with "Tolk" this book probably has little to offer; but as a first book for someone who has been caught up in the recent movie trilogy, this is where I would start.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Credible
Review: I've only read some of this book so far, but it's apparent to me that the author has never read The Silmarillion and has read The Lord of the Rings only once. He makes consistent errors throughout the book with regard to Tolkien's world (such as mixing up Moria and Mordor and claiming Luthien is Thingol's sister), which leads me to wonder if he's even bothered to check up on his other facts. I get the impression that his critique of the Silmarillion is based on the reviews he's read and not having actually read the work himself. As others have noted, it's obvious he had some problems with Tolkien's survivors, as the venom towards them is apparent. Do yourself a favour and pass this one over for Humphrey Carpenter's authorised biography and The Letters of JRR Tolkien. You'll learn far more about the man, and from a far more credible source.
Rating:
Summary: Not Credible
Review: The cover art represents a scene in which a hobbit like myself would find comfortable. That is where the pleasure ends.Hobbits of the Shire (and of Bree) owe a great debt of gratitude to Professor J.R.R. Tolkien for allowing Big People to see and appreciate our world and our lives. This volume shows no respect to the Professor at all, and by extension, shows us no respect as well. Hobbits understand family and family life. Hobbits understand privacy. Mr. Grotta apparently understands neither, preferring to denigrate the Professor and his family for not providing access to family papers. I'm sorry, Mr. Grotta, the Professor's family has chosen an authorized biographer -- and you are not it. Accept that fact, and make contributions (if you have any) in other areas of Tolkien lore. I urge all hobbits to stay away from this volume, and suggest that the purchase of Mr. Carpenter's books "JRR Tolkien", "The Inklings", and "The Letters of JRR Tolkien" would be a wiser use of money. Mr. Grotta is definitely NOT invited to tea.
Rating:
Summary: No stars from this hobbit. . .
Review: The cover art represents a scene in which a hobbit like myself would find comfortable. That is where the pleasure ends. Hobbits of the Shire (and of Bree) owe a great debt of gratitude to Professor J.R.R. Tolkien for allowing Big People to see and appreciate our world and our lives. This volume shows no respect to the Professor at all, and by extension, shows us no respect as well. Hobbits understand family and family life. Hobbits understand privacy. Mr. Grotta apparently understands neither, preferring to denigrate the Professor and his family for not providing access to family papers. I'm sorry, Mr. Grotta, the Professor's family has chosen an authorized biographer -- and you are not it. Accept that fact, and make contributions (if you have any) in other areas of Tolkien lore. I urge all hobbits to stay away from this volume, and suggest that the purchase of Mr. Carpenter's books "JRR Tolkien", "The Inklings", and "The Letters of JRR Tolkien" would be a wiser use of money. Mr. Grotta is definitely NOT invited to tea.
Rating:
Summary: Glossy coffee table book
Review: This glossy coffee table book, with uncaptioned Hildebrandt illustrations in apparently random locations, provides interesting tidbits about the background of Tolkien's environment. If you can tolerate the whining about not having access to Tolkien papers and the ignorant pronouncements about Tolkien's character ("lazy") and activities wrt the Silmarillion, it may be useful. However, if you wish to read a real biography of Tolkien, it would be far far better to read Humphrey Carpenter's biography.
Rating:
Summary: Grotta should have read Tolkien on Tolkien.
Review: This is a work of minimal value, written by someone who seems to have an axe to grind. The book left me with two impressions. The first impression is that the author did not really have anything new to contribute to an understanding of the life of Tolkien, instead relying on humorous anecdotes, rehashing of Tolkien's relationship with CS Lewis, and materials found elsewhere. The second impression is that the author bears a serious grudge against the Tolkien family for not permitting the access to family papers that was accorded to the authorized biographer, Humphrey Carpenter. This grudge is manifested in snide asides about Tolkien's literary executors. Finally, I must criticize the author for his excursus into the politics surrounding the Nigerian civil war. What this has to do with Tolkien is unclear at best. Money is far better spent on Humphrey Carpenter's biography, and his edition of letters (especially the letters). It is in the letters where the spirit and genius of Tolkien best comes through. Give this volume a miss.
Rating:
Summary: Has facts about Tolkien but little understanding of his work
Review: This is an easy-to-read and interesting book, which helps you to learn about J.R.R. Tolkien's life. Especially interesting to me was how The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion came to be published. It is true what other reviewers have mentioned -- that there are a few unfair snide remarks about J.R.R. Tolkien and his family. But these are only a few lines and are easily overlooked. Overall, the coverage is balanced and concentrates on facts, and avoids being either an attack on Tolkien or adoration of him.
But the author gets into trouble in the few parts where he attempts to discuss the content of LotR. You can't take seriously an analysis of Lord of the Rings by somebody who gets Moria and Mordor mixed up. There is a discussion of Christian themes in LotR which is interesting until Grotta makes the fantastic statement "Without a spiritual being in Tolkien's mythology who closely conforms to the Biblical archetype of the Devil (Sauron was a flesh and blood creature)...". Huh? The story of Melkor/Morgoth's fall in THE SILMARILLION exactly conforms to the story of Satan's fall and Melkor/Morgoth has exactly the role of Satan. Moreover, many readers of LotR -- including the ones who make a big-budget movie trilogy out of it -- would disagree that Sauron in the Third Age was a "flesh and blood creature". Likewise, later Grotta mentions that Thingol was Luthien's brother, although these are major characters in THE SILMARILLION and the father-daughter relation is very clear and important. None of these mistakes are small details; they show that Grotta isn't really very familiar at all with Tolkien's writings.
But as an easy-to-read overview of Tolkien's life, this book is fine.
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