
A Hobbit Journey
Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth
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Narrated by:
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Alan Sklar
About this listen
The Lord of the Rings trilogy has delighted millions of fans worldwide in book and movie form. With the theatrical release of the two-part film The Hobbit slated for 2012 and 2013, attention will once again turn to J. R. R. Tolkien's classic works. In a culture where truth is relative and morality is viewed as old-fashioned, we welcome the chance to view the world through hobbit eyes: we have free will, our choices matter, and living a morally heroic life is possible.
In this engaging and thought-provoking book, Tolkien expert Matthew Dickerson shows how a Christian worldview and Christian themes undergird Tolkien's Middle-earth writings and how they are fundamentally important to understanding his vision. This revised and expanded edition of Following Gandalf includes new material on torture, social justice, and the importance of the body.
Download the accompanying reference guide.©2012 Matthew Dickerson (P)2012 Oasis AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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A fun little read.
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By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
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The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is a collection of poetry written by J. R. R. Tolkien and was first published in 1962. The audio is read by Sir Derek Jacobi and is a collection of 16 poems that contain an assortment of bestiary verse and fairy tale rhyme. It is a stunning recording that captures all the characters in their own charming and mysterious ways.
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Almost disappointing
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By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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Beren and Lúthien
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Beren was a mortal man, but Lúthien was an immortal Elf. Her father, a great Elvish lord, was deeply opposed to Beren, and imposed on him an impossible task that he must perform before he might wed Lúthien. Undaunted by Lord Thingol’s challenge, Beren and Lúthien embark on the supremely heroic attempt to rob Morgoth, the greatest of all evil beings, of a Silmaril, one of the hallowed jewels that adorn the Black Enemy’s crown.
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very disappointing
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A Rare Recording of J. R. R. Tolkien
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- Original Recording
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J. R. R. Tolkien was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor best known as the author of fantasy works like "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings." Listen as Tolkien reads "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil," "The Hoard," "Perry-The-Winkle," and "The Man in the Moon Came Down Too Soon." Also included is a reading of "A Elbereth Gilthoniel" in Elvish and "The Road Goes Ever on," sung by William Elvin with music by Donald Swann.
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Not all Tolkien - wish I'd noticed that
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By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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Our Mutual Friend
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Overall
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Story
A sinister masterpiece, Our Mutual Friend was Dickens' last completed novel. It is perhaps his ultimate vision of a dark, macabre London and the corrupting power of money.
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Worth six stars
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The Fall of Númenor
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- By: J.R.R. Tolkien, Brian Sibley - editor
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
J.R.R. Tolkien famously described the Second Age of Middle-earth as a ‘dark age, and not very much of its history is (or need be) told’. And for many years readers would need to be content with the tantalizing glimpses of it found within the pages of The Lord of the Rings and its appendices, including the forging of the Rings of Power, the building of the Barad-dûr and the rise of Sauron.
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A dry compilation of old material, minus images
- By SC on 11-12-22
By: J.R.R. Tolkien, and others
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The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Christopher Tolkien
- Length: 56 mins
- Unabridged
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The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm’s Son was originally published in the 1953 edition of Essays and Studies. In December of that year, J.R.R. Tolkien took possession of a reel-to-reel tape recorder and, some time during the first few months of 1954, decided to record ‘the whole thing on tape’ as a way of ‘testing’ the performative quality of the dramatic dialogue between Tídwald and Torhthelm.
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Short sweet and to the point
- By Anthony Baker on 04-04-23
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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The Fall of Gondolin
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Gondolin, beautiful but undiscoverable, is central to the enmity of two of the greatest powers in the world. Morgoth of the uttermost evil seeks in vain to discover the marvellously hidden city of his Elven enemies, while the gods in Valinor refuse to support Ulmo Lord of Waters' designs to protect it. Into this world comes Tuor, cousin of Túrin, and guided unseen by Ulmo he sets out on the fearful journey to Gondolin to warn them of their coming doom.
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Feels like a research paper
- By D. Limback on 03-18-20
By: Christopher Tolkien, and others
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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Terry Jones
- Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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A collection of three medieval English poems, translated by Tolkien for the modern-day reader and containing romance, tragedy, love, sex and honour.
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An absolute delight!
- By Shannon Slee on 07-15-18
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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The Dark Tower, and Other Stories
- By: C. S. Lewis
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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The revered author’s definitive collection of short fiction, which explores enduring spiritual and science fiction themes such as space, time, reality, fantasy, God, and the fate of humankind. As powerful, inventive, and profound as his theological and philosophical works, The Dark Tower reveals another side of Lewis’s creative mind and his longtime fascination with reality and spirituality. It is ideal listening for fans of J. R. R. Tolkien, Lewis’s longtime friend and colleague.
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Buyer beware... incomplete works
- By Breezybealle on 01-19-20
By: C. S. Lewis
Critic reviews
What listeners say about A Hobbit Journey
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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Performance
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- Ned Walker
- 03-12-13
Extremely Good
Would you consider the audio edition of A Hobbit Journey to be better than the print version?
No. I still enjoy holding a real book in my hands but I also enjoy audiobooks when I drive because there isn't much to listen to on the radio.
What was one of the most memorable moments of A Hobbit Journey?
The whole book is memorable.
Which character – as performed by Alan Sklar – was your favorite?
NA
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes.
Any additional comments?
This book is highly recommended for anyone who is serious about J.R.R Tolkien and his works. It plunges deep into the meaning behind his books and how they match the greatness of the old myths. Like the old myths, Tolkien's books are a treasury of wisdom in the art of living.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Adam
- 04-30-22
A near perfect compilation of all the most meaningful aspects from the stories of middle earth
One of the things I’ve appreciated most about reading the Lord of the rings, the Hobbit, Silmarillion, the children of Húrin, etc. is the pure truth in values and the human condition that is conveyed therein. This may be the best book in existence on compiling and conveying those concepts in a digestable manner. Having read this book I can now say that I have a deeper reference, respect, and love for all that J.R.R. Tolkien shared with the world. Do yourself a favor and read this book today.
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- Alan Rither
- 12-19-12
Tediously going over his points again & again
Is there anything you would change about this book?
Yes, I would edit it to be about 30 minutes total instead of hours. The author takes one point and beats it to death. His basic premise is that Tolkien was a pacifist who was able to realize, because of his experience during World War I ('The Great War') that no human being (or elf or valar, etc.) has a right to kill another or even to coerce another person. Having proved that to his own satisfaction, he cites passage after wearisome passage in an attempt to convince the reader of his thesis.
What was most disappointing about Matthew Dickerson’s story?
See above. He didn't talk about anything 'enchanting,' about Middle Earth. He just used his platform to try to prove that Tolkien wouldn't hurt a flea, ignoring all sorts of evidence to the contrary.
What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?
The narrator has a soft, baritone voice. He also speaks v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y, so I put my device on 1.25 speed and it because more tolerable. I keep listening in hopes that the author will pull it all together in the last chapter so I won't feel like I wasted all this time.
Was A Hobbit Journey worth the listening time?
No, not with almost 90% completed. I keep hoping.
Any additional comments?
Save your money and your time unless you want to be told time and again the same thing.
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13 people found this helpful
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- John Glemby
- 02-03-13
Good but badly titled book.
The previous review gave me pause of getting this book but I chose to try it.This is my overview.I am in sympathy with his strong words about the very true fact that this writer is dealing with war and torture and again and again returning to it.I, who am as shell shocked from the left in our culture as the next person, felt a very strong desire to stop this book when in the 2 chapter WATERBORDING came up.However,I realize that is about our media .So I continued listening.I quickly realized the writer is NOT left.nor right.NOT A PACIFIST.What he does is open up and detail Tolkiens Catholic views of morality and position on war and treatment of each other within and revield through The Lord of The rings.[without any admitting the Christian origin]...In fact this book is not about war at all but MORALITY.I do not think the author even knows Its actualy Catholic social doctrine.. If he does he almost seems to hide this fact,,I dont know him or his motives and like his book so i leave that to him..Tolkien was a devout Catholic so his moral wisdom would permiate his books.....anyway,if you are interested in a very good treatment of Tolkien and the Moral wisdom of his great works,I think you will like this treatment..but I do have to say ..'boy was this a terribly TITLED book';....
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3 people found this helpful
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- Donald Weaver
- 03-24-24
Christ Relevant
It did take a while, but stick to it. In the last few chapters the author finally talks about, grace, salvation, and Jesus Christ. Seemingly, hiding in plan site from Tolkin's works, and all for a good reason. It's about ancient fairytale history until Tolkin writes about the fourth age of mankind. And stops there. After all, it's only a work of great fairtale fiction, enriched with so much detail and with great Godly attributes. The author wraps it all up beautifully in this book "A Hobbit Journey". That's why I love all of Tolkin's works, especially Leaf by Niggle! Now it's our turn to make a difference in this world, fellow Inklings!
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