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and updated examination of how J.R.R. Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece The Hobbit includes his complete unpublished draft version of the story, together with notes and illustrations by Tolkien himself.The Hobbit was first published on September 21,1937.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as one of their "fireside reads."Together in one volume, The History of the Hobbit presents the complete text of the unpublished manuscript of The Hobbit, accompanied by John Rateliff's lively and informative account of how the book came to be written and published.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.
Plenty Orange
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Video Game Heroine
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. ⭐️ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures – this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! 👚🎧
Sir Shove
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is remarkable. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Devil Chick
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! 📱🎧
Petite Beauty
With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Video Game Heroine
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. 👀📚 Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier – this app's soothing voices 😴🎧 The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
Microwave Chardonnay
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥
Mad Kid
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
Stallion Patton
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
Silver Cup
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life – it's incredible. ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Sylvester Eye
This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. 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.
Solitaire
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Keystone
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Knight Light
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. 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! 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.
Hobo Samurai
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
MuseMaster
This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner.
NoiseFire
Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature! ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks.
Doz Killer
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. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
Trash Pocky
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus!
AxelRoad
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. 🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. 🎉📚 I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
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