The Thirty-nine Steps

Written by:
John Buchan
Narrated by:
Adrian Praetzellis

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
237
Narrator
76
Release Date
January 2015
Duration
4 hours 21 minutes
Summary
Richard Hannay's boredom is soon relieved when the resourceful engineer is caught up in a web of secret codes, spies, and murder on the eve of WWI. This exciting action-adventure story was the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's 1939 classic film of the same name. John Buchan (1875-1940) was Governor General of Canada and a popular novelist. Although condemned by some for anti-Semitic dialog in The Thirty-Nine Steps, his character's sentiments do not represent the view of the author who was identified in Hitler's Sonderfahndungsliste (special search list) as a "Jewish sympathiser." (Summary by Adrian Praetzellis)
Reviews
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Anonymous

I loved it

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Anonymous

Great audiobook, really enjoyed it and it was my first one too. Certainly won’t be my last. Listened to it whilst running and loved it.

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Smileykat

Good book. Enjoyable. Older style of writing, which is expected for when it was written.

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Anonymous

An all time classic.

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Penny E.

I liked the book. As a South African, I found the references to Southern Africa entertaining as it provides a mindset of the colonial British person of that time.

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Victor P.

Probably one of the most enjoyable narrations that I have ever listened to. I had read the book more than 50 years ago, so had forgotten the charcters and the plot. As I am famililiar with many of the various dialects spoken in the U.K., I was impressed with the narrator's ability to switch in to the vernacular of the characters, especially of those in rural Scotland.

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Anonymous

Hard to follow.

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Anonymous

Fascinating book as it relates to the time and era of pre-WW2. I especially enjoyed the use of the dialect and idioms from an era long past

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Jackie M.

good story. good narration.

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Rebecca C.

was really good story. was intrugued throughout. bit of suspense and adventure. narrator was OK but a little droning although still enjoyed this book.

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Shils

Easy to follow, a short and entertaining book- excellently read

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Linda A.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the narrator. Now, I hope to find the movie !

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Anonymous

Loved it

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Anonymous

This is a marvelous book, full of suspense and intrigue!

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Anonymous

Really enjoyable

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Sherry L.

I really enjoyed this book. Great classic that whisked you away on an unbelievable journey. Yes there are words that are not acceptable nowadays but it is not so heavily used it detracts from the novel.

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Anonymous

it was okay. kind of liked it better when i read the original years ago.

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Anonymous

Very enjoyable

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Barbara G.

Interesting book for its time. Modern readers may be turned off by the use of the term "white" to mean a good, dependable man and by comments one character makes about Jews. I really liked the narrator''s voice and inflection.

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Mrkw

Great story. Love the narrator

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Kelly

I enjoyed this title . A few parts made me think well how did that happen ?? It was however a really enjoyable narration.

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Franz K.

Simple entertaining story

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Anonymous

I have seen both versions of the movie. Happy to finally hear the original story. Interesting how Hitchcock changed it. Well done.

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Sharon P.

I to jaded about the book. Having seen the movie a fee times, it was hard for the audiobook version to keep my attention.

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Anonymous

Great story. Good narrator.

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Steven T.

Excellently read!

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Anonymous

Good tale of intrigue, action and political subterfuge. Narrator well fitted to this faced paced adventure mystery.

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Anonymous

a story you have to pay attention to, as it throws a lot of information at you. the story leaves you wanting more. Good listen or read.

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Steve J

I had only seen the films; when I saw the audio of the book was available I had to listen; I listen while on the exercise bike. I love the dated aspects; Hannay gets into the chauffer's seat (the driver's seat), he worries about not wearing a collar and tie. There is no female love interest. Adrian is an excellent reader; he doesn't have the full vocal expression of a professional but he is easy on the ear.

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Martin Hyland

Great classic story.

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Nicky Sutcliffe

Worth a listen, enjoyed it!

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