The original authorised biography, and the only one written by an author who actually met J.R.R. Tolkien, reissued to mark Tolkien’s 125th Anniversary. In more than 40 years since Tolkien’s death in September 1973, millions have read The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion and become fascinated about the very private man behind the books. Born in Bloemfontein in January 1892, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was orphaned in childhood, brought up in near-poverty and almost thwarted in adolescent romance. He served in the First World War, surviving the Battle of the Somme, where he lost some of his closest friends, and returned to academic life, achieving high repute as a scholar and university teacher, eventually becoming Merton Professor of English at Oxford. Then suddenly his life changed dramatically. One day while marking essay papers he found himself writing ‘In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit’ – and worldwide renown awaited him. Humphrey Carpenter was given unrestricted access to all Tolkien’s papers, and interviewed his friends and family. From these sources he follows the long and painful process of creation that produced The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion and offers a wealth of information about the life and work of the twentieth century’s most cherished author.

The comprehensive collection of letters spanning the adult life of one of the world’s greatest storytellers, now revised and expanded to include more than 150 previously unseen letters, with revealing new insights into The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. J.R.R. Tolkien, creator of the languages and history of Middle-earth as recorded in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, was one of the most prolific letter-writers of this century. Over the years he wrote a mass of letters – to his publishers, to members of his family, to friends, and to 'fans' of his books – which often reveal the inner workings of his mind, and which record the history of composition of his works and his reaction to subsequent events. A selection from Tolkien's correspondence, collected and edited by Tolkien's official biographer, Humphrey Carpenter, and assisted by Christopher Tolkien, was published in 1981. It presented, in Tolkien's own words, a highly detailed portrait of the man in his many aspects: storyteller, scholar, Catholic, parent, friend, and observer of the world around him. In this revised and expanded edition of The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, it has been possible to go back to the editors’ original typescripts and notes, restoring more than 150 letters that were excised purely to achieve what was then deemed a ‘publishable length’, and present the book as originally intended. Enthusiasts for his writings will find much that is new, for the letters not only include fresh information about Middle-earth, such as Tolkien’s own plot summary of the entirety of The Lord of the Rings and a vision for publishing his ‘Tales of the Three Ages’, but also many insights into the man and his world. In addition, this new selection will entertain anyone who appreciates the art of letter-writing, of which J.R.R. Tolkien was a master.

Critically acclaimed, award-winning biography of CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and the brilliant group of writers to come out of Oxford during the Second World War. C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and their friends were a regular feature of the Oxford scenery in the years during and after the Second World War. They drank beer on Tuesdays at the 'Bird and Baby', and on Thursday nights they met in Lewis' Magdalen College rooms to read aloud from the books they were writing; jokingly they called themselves 'The Inklings'. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien first introduced The Screwtape Letters and The Lord of the Rings to an audience in this company and Charles Williams, poet and writer of supernatural thrillers, was another prominent member of the group. Humphrey Carpenter, who wrote the acclaimed biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, draws upon unpublished letters and diaries, to which he was given special access, in this engrossing story.

"Magic carpets don't turn up in schools."

But this is exactly what does happen when Class Three's new teacher flies in through the window. With Mr Majeika in charge, it's going to be the most exciting school term ever . . .

From the burning of Byron's memoirs, Jane Austen's clipped businesslike manner, and the lucrative controversy caused by the publication of Darwin's Origin of Species, through to the discovery of the new young poet John Betjeman, the name John Murray has for more than two hundred years been synonymous with challenging, intelligent and progressive publishing. From its birth in 1768, when the first John Murray of Edinburgh came down to London, each of its seven leaders has made his own contribution to the dissemination of literature and the understanding of the world. One became Byron's publisher and confidante; another began the revolutionary series of Murray handbooks which transformed world travel in the early years of the railways; a third broke controversial new ground with the publication of Queen Victoria's letters. So the tradition progressed to the end of the twentieth century, and a list of literary giants including Patrick Leigh Fermor, Osbert Lancaster, Francoise Sagan and Poet Laureate, John Betjeman. Written in Carpenter's rollicking and iconoclastic style, it is an affectionate and vibrant account of the longest-surviving publishing house in the world.

When old Mr Jenks retires, St Barty's School advertises for a new caretaker. Unfortunately there's only one applicant - Hamish Bigmore's Uncle Wilf who is just as rude and bad-tempered as Hamish. When Mr Majeika is hurt in an accident it becomes clear that Uncle Wilf is working for the wickedest of witches, Wilhelmina Warlock! It's up to Mr Majeika to work his magic and put things right again.

"Sometimes," whispered Jody, "I think school dinners would be all right if it wasn't for her."

The dinner lady's "favourite friend" is nasty Hamish Bigmore. It is up to Mr Majeika to try and change the school menu. Meanwhile, on Bartyshire Farm Park, there are some very strange-looking animals indeed . . .

Welcome to Wizardford-upon-Sky. No parking of magic carpets. No bicycles allowed within the city gates.

Class 3 are sure that something is very wrong when Mr Majeika leaves school without saying goodbye. So when they find a message from him saying he's been arrested by the Silly Crime Squad, they are determined to rescue him. But Hamish Bigmore and Mr Majeika's old enemy Wilhemina Worlock are already at Wizardford-upon-Sky lying in wait . . .

"Gosh," said Thomas, "isn't that Robin Hood?"

Class Three have fun at their Book Week when famous story book characters suddenly appear! But there's trouble ahead with Wilhelmina Worlock the witch at the School Sports day and Hamish Bigmore causes havoc on a day trip to France. Mr Majeika manages to keep control . . . with the help of a little bit of magic.

Class Three has got a new computer and while exploring it, Mr Majeika manages to get the whole class trapped in the school website. Many adventures follow and Class Three meet bizarre characters before they can get out.

More amazing adventures with Mr Majeika, the ex-wizard turned teacher, and his class at St Barty's School including a trip down a magic river, saving St Barty's from the wrecking ball, and work experience for class three.

"Do be careful, Mr Majeika, there might be real ghosts in there."

When Class Three and Mr Majeika get on board a Ghost Train they are in for a surprise. Real ghosts appear and the wicked Wilhelmina Worlock isn't far away. But Jody comes to the rescue . . . with a dragon to help her.

Another magical adventure for Class Three.

"Use of magic by teacher strictly forbidden."

Poor Mr Majeika goes to the bottom of the class when the school inspector comes to call. Things don't get any easier when Mr Majeika turns himself into a lobster by mistake. Class Three somehow have to get Wilhelmina Worlock to undo the spell . . .

More hilarious tales of magic and mayhem.

"Oh, don't be cowards," said Jody. "I'm sure it's perfectly safe".

Mysteriously stranded in the fog at night, Mr Majeika and Class Three find themselves in a creepy hotel near Hadrian's Wall where some very spooky things start to happen. Strange lights, ghostly sounds and vanishing people . . .

A hilarious and haunting story!

From Andy Pandy to Tiger Tim, penny dreadfuls to school stories, this is an indispensable reference book for anyone interested in children's books. Over 900 biographical entries deal with authors, illustrators, printers, publishers, educationalists, and others who have influenced the development of children's literature. The range of literature covered includes traditional narrative materials such as legends and romances; fairy tales; chapbooks; genres such as school stories, adventure stories, doll stories, and science fiction; ABC and other learning books; children's magazines, comics, and story papers; picture books; teenage novels; children's hymns; and children's stories on radio television and film.

When Class Three and Mr Majeika go to the circus, it's definitely not as fun as they imagined. Everyone's a bit old, creaky and rubbish really! So when Mr Majeika casts a small spell to help the performers with their circus show, it's no surprise that Billy Balance, the slack rope walker, kidnaps Mr Majeika so that Mr Majeika can magically help him everytime! Things get worse whilst Mr majeika is trapped when Wilhelmina Worlock takes the opportunity to turn Class Three's classroom into a circus and the children spend all afternoon running away from lions and alligators! But Mr Majeika's magic saves the day, Class Three and the circus end up on the news and once again Mr Potter, the headmaster, misses it all!

Two books in one for those avid readers where one Mr Majeika adventure is just not enough! Mr Majeika: Mr Majeika can behave just like any ordinary teacher if he wants to, but something has to be done about Hamish Bigmore, the class nuisance, and so he uses a little magic to turn him into a frog - the only problem is he can't remember the spell to turn him back! Mr Majeika and the Lost Spell Book: The pupils in Class 3 at St Barty's School are not impressed when their headteacher imposes strict rules of behaviour for Halloween. Mr Majeika uses a little magic to make the evening memorable but nasty Hamish Bigmore tells the local press and gets the wizard-teacher the sack -something has to be done . . . Mr Majeika continues to be one of the UK's most loved and trusted fictional characters.

"A Great, Silly Grin" opens at the 1960 Edinburgh Festival, where a staggeringly inspired satirical revue called Beyond the Fringe startled a public steeped in the polite, bland banality of the 1950s. From there it is a short trip to the coffee bars of London, where the appearance of a scruffy yellow pamphlet calling itself Private Eye overturned the way Britons looked at their world. The apotheosis of the satire boom, and the progenitor of so many American comedy acts, was the groundbreaking BBC television program "That Was the Week That Was," which combined elements of sketch comedy and evening-news broadcast to produce something essential, hilarious, and, on occasion, scandalous. Humphrey Carpenter's history of this tumultuous and exciting era introduces us not only to the people involved in its creation--Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Michael Frayn, Jonathan Miller, Alan Bennett, and David Frost--but also their routines and sketches.

'Oh dear' said Mr Majeika. 'I didn't mean to do that at all - I must have used the wrong spell again.'

But too many wrong spells for Mr Majeika mean that he will lose his power altogether and Hamish Bigmore will become a wizard. Unless the lost spell book can be found ...

"Music teacher? What music teacher?"

The sudden arrival of a new music teacher throws St Barty's School into confusion. Horrid smells start coming from the staffroom and creepy-crawlies suddenly appear. For the new arrival is Wilhelmina Worlock, a wicked witch with some nasty tricks.

And it's up to Mr Majeika to try to outwit her . . .

"I really am quite useless as a wizard."

But Class Three think Mr Majeika is an excellent wizard, particularly when his spells go wrong! First, Hamish Bigmore ends up on TV. Then a real giant appears in the School Play. Finally, Mr Majeika gets the whole class lost on a magic carpet!

There's always an adventure with Mr Majeika around.