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and updated examination of how J.R.R. Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece The Hobbit includes his complete unpublished draft version of the story, together with notes and illustrations by Tolkien himself.The Hobbit was first published on September 21,1937.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as one of their "fireside reads."Together in one volume, The History of the Hobbit presents the complete text of the unpublished manuscript of The Hobbit, accompanied by John Rateliff's lively and informative account of how the book came to be written and published.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.
Poptart AK47
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Show Boat
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment.
Digger
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨ Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Scratch
🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Austin Shamrock
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. I'm addicted to this app – it's like having a library in my pocket. This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
WanderWord
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading.
Trip
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚 ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Pepper Mouse
This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks!
Intimidation Station
User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Street Squirrel
I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Fresh Peper
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment.
New Cycle
This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. 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!
Venom Charms
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Cosmic Presence
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Danqqqqq
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. 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.
Mum Mary
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
StarStrider
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Tacklebox
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
Stone Boomstick
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Feline Devil
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
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