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and updated examination of how J.R.R. Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece The Hobbit includes his complete unpublished draft version of the story, together with notes and illustrations by Tolkien himself.The Hobbit was first published on September 21,1937.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as one of their "fireside reads."Together in one volume, The History of the Hobbit presents the complete text of the unpublished manuscript of The Hobbit, accompanied by John Rateliff's lively and informative account of how the book came to be written and published.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.
Juno Cream
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
xSTORMx
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Skylark
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. 🎉 Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks – this app turns errands into epic quests! 🛒📖 ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Wooden Man
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient.
Sylvester Eye
Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Alley Frog
With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Hella Fella
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged.
Prof. Screw
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Burn
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧
Sun Runner
Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Manimal
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph.
Pink Nightmare
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Organization made simple – this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. 📖📱
SunVolt
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
Innocent Ghost
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
ManBreaker
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
ThoughtTrail
I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit! As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Rosie Bird
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Steel Heart
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Sun Lemon
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
DreamDasher
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
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