Book description
In one volume for the first time, this revised and updated examination of how J.R.R. Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece The Hobbit includes his complete unpublished draft version of the story, together with notes and illustrations by Tolkien himself.The Hobbit was first published on September 21,1937. Like its sequel, The Lord of the Rings, it is a story that "grew in the telling," and many characters and plot threads in the published text are quite different from the story J.R.R. Tolkien first wrote to read aloud to his young sons as one of their "fireside reads."Together in one volume, The History of the Hobbit presents the complete text of the unpublished manuscript of The Hobbit, accompanied by John Rateliff's lively and informative account of how the book came to be written and published. Recording the numerous changes made to the story both before and after publication, he examines--chapter by chapter--why those changes were made and how they reflect Tolkien's ever-growing concept of Middle-earth. As well as reproducing the original version of one of the world's most popular novels--both on its own merits and as the foundation for The Lord of the Rings--this book includes many little-known illustrations and draft maps for The Hobbit by Tolkien himself. Also featured are extensive commentaries on the dates of composition, how Tolkien's professional and early mythological writings influenced the story, the imaginary geography he created, and how Tolkien came to revise the book years after publication to accommodate events in The Lord of the Rings.Endorsed by Christopher Tolkien as a companion to his essential 12-volume The History of Middle-earth, this thoughtful and exhaustive examination of one of the most treasured stories in English literature offers fascinating new insights for those who have grown up with this enchanting tale, and will delight any who are about to enter Bilbo's round door for the first time.
Congo Wire
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days.
Biscuit Meg
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze.
Plenty Orange
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars! This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
101
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly.
RedFisher
The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
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Bazooka Har-de-har
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Opulent Gamer
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Sugar Hiccup
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Sweet Bacon
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience.
Lilac Lizard
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Vicious Street
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9Lives
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Natural Gold
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Venom Petunia
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
MuseMaster
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience.
Wonder Lady
I'm hooked on this app – it's like Netflix for book lovers! The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Scratch Man
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Day Hawk
I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
Mr. Gadget
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner. No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱 The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience