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and updated examination of how J.R.R. Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece The Hobbit includes his complete unpublished draft version of the story, together with notes and illustrations by Tolkien himself.The Hobbit was first published on September 21,1937.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as one of their "fireside reads."Together in one volume, The History of the Hobbit presents the complete text of the unpublished manuscript of The Hobbit, accompanied by John Rateliff's lively and informative account of how the book came to be written and published.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.
Lewd Dice
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook has given me the gift of time – turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Baby Brown
Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze.
Wooden Man
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Dredd
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. 🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫
Zorkle Sporkle
I'm addicted to this app – it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. 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.
CommandX
ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Feral Cookie
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities.
Stallion Patton
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality. 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.
Palomino
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Wonder Lady
🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon – this app is my relaxation buddy! 🏖️🎧 Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. 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.
Shady Prairie
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖 Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams!
Switch
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Dropkick
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Killer Grenade
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session.
Mule Skinner
👀📚 Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier – this app's soothing voices 😴🎧 ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Mule Skinner
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Cool Iris
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours. 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!
Old Felix
ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Firefly
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. 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!
Delicious
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
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