-
A Rare Recording of J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Length: 42 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $5.57
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Terry Jones
- Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A collection of three medieval English poems, translated by Tolkien for the modern-day reader and containing romance, tragedy, love, sex and honour.
-
-
An absolute delight!
- By Shannon Slee on 07-15-18
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Unfinished Tales
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien - editor
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 21 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring and provides those who have read The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories from the 20th century’s most acclaimed popular author.
-
-
Editorial roadblocks
- By William C. Watson on 05-15-21
By: J. R. R. Tolkien, and others
-
Letters from Father Christmas
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi, John Moffatt, Christian Rodska
- Length: 2 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Can you imagine writing to Father Christmas and actually getting a reply? Every year, the children of J.R.R. Tolkien would write to Father Christmas, and the letters they received told wonderful stories of his adventures at the North Pole. These humorous tales are brought to life by Derek Jacobi as Father Christmas, John Moffatt as Polar Bear, and Christian Rodska as Ilbereth the Elf, complete with specially composed music.
-
-
A fun little read.
- By James on 06-30-14
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Tales from the Perilous Realm
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Combined into one volume, this is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of The Hobbit, read by Derek Jacobi. The five tales are written with the same skill, quality and charm that made The Hobbit a classic. Largely overlooked because of their short lengths, they are joined here in one volume which reaffirms Tolkien's place as a master storyteller for listeners young and old.
-
-
Thoroughly charming
- By VMR on 09-21-19
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
The Silmarillion
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Martin Shaw
- Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The complete unabridged audiobook of J.R.R Tolkien's The Silmarillion. The Silmarillion is an account of the Elder Days, of the First Age of Tolkien’s world. It is the ancient drama to which the characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, and in whose events some of them such as Elrond and Galadriel took part.
-
-
A collection of appendices, not a story
- By James W. on 09-27-19
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Beren and Lúthien
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
very disappointing
- By Ms. Rhiannon on 07-02-20
By: Christopher Tolkien, and others
-
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Terry Jones
- Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A collection of three medieval English poems, translated by Tolkien for the modern-day reader and containing romance, tragedy, love, sex and honour.
-
-
An absolute delight!
- By Shannon Slee on 07-15-18
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Unfinished Tales
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien - editor
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 21 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring and provides those who have read The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories from the 20th century’s most acclaimed popular author.
-
-
Editorial roadblocks
- By William C. Watson on 05-15-21
By: J. R. R. Tolkien, and others
-
Letters from Father Christmas
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi, John Moffatt, Christian Rodska
- Length: 2 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Can you imagine writing to Father Christmas and actually getting a reply? Every year, the children of J.R.R. Tolkien would write to Father Christmas, and the letters they received told wonderful stories of his adventures at the North Pole. These humorous tales are brought to life by Derek Jacobi as Father Christmas, John Moffatt as Polar Bear, and Christian Rodska as Ilbereth the Elf, complete with specially composed music.
-
-
A fun little read.
- By James on 06-30-14
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Tales from the Perilous Realm
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Combined into one volume, this is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of The Hobbit, read by Derek Jacobi. The five tales are written with the same skill, quality and charm that made The Hobbit a classic. Largely overlooked because of their short lengths, they are joined here in one volume which reaffirms Tolkien's place as a master storyteller for listeners young and old.
-
-
Thoroughly charming
- By VMR on 09-21-19
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
The Silmarillion
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Martin Shaw
- Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The complete unabridged audiobook of J.R.R Tolkien's The Silmarillion. The Silmarillion is an account of the Elder Days, of the First Age of Tolkien’s world. It is the ancient drama to which the characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, and in whose events some of them such as Elrond and Galadriel took part.
-
-
A collection of appendices, not a story
- By James W. on 09-27-19
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Beren and Lúthien
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
very disappointing
- By Ms. Rhiannon on 07-02-20
By: Christopher Tolkien, and others
-
The Fall of Gondolin
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Feels like a research paper
- By D. Limback on 03-18-20
By: Christopher Tolkien, and others
-
Smith of Wootton Major
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tolkien's acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tale, read by Derek Jacobi. Smith of Wootton Major journeys to the Land of Faery thanks to the magical ingredients of the Great Cake of the Feast of Good Children.
-
-
Charming
- By Babbi on 01-18-17
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Sir Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
More Bombadil please!
- By James on 06-30-14
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Leaf by Niggle
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
'Leaf by Niggle' recounts the strange adventures of the painter Niggle, who sets out to paint the perfect tree. But he senses that he will be snatched away from his work long before it is finished - if indeed it could ever be finished in this world. For it is in another and brighter place that Niggle finds his tree is finished and learns that it is indeed a real tree, a true part of creation.
-
-
My Favourite Tolkien
- By M. J. Palmer on 05-16-17
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Mr Bliss
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Sir Derek Jacobi
- Length: 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mr Bliss, a man notable for his immensely tall hats and for the girabbit in his garden, takes the whimsical decision to buy a motor car. But his first drive to visit friends quickly becomes a catalogue of disasters. Some of these could be blamed on Mr Bliss’s style of driving, but even he could not anticipate being hijacked by three bears.
-
-
Excellent narration but story lacking
- By Lin on 07-17-18
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Farmer Giles of Ham
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Farmer Giles of Ham did not look like a hero. He was fat and red-bearded and enjoyed a slow, comfortable life. Then one day a rather deaf and short-sighted giant blundered on to his land. More by luck than skill, Farmer Giles managed to scare him away. The people of the village cheered: Farmer Giles was a hero. His reputation spread far and wide across the kingdom. So it was natural that when the dragon Chrysophylax visited the area it was Farmer Giles who was expected to do battle with it!
-
-
An exquisite story wonderfully narrated
- By Jacobus on 05-02-10
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Roverandom
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
While on holiday in 1925, four-year-old Michael Tolkien lost his beloved toy dog on the beach at Filey in Yorkshire. To console him, his father, J.R.R. Tolkien, improvised a story about Rover, a real dog who is magically transformed into a toy and is forced to seek out the wizard who wronged him in order to be returned to normal. This charming tale, peopled by a sand-sorcerer and a terrible dragon, by the king of the sea and the Man-in-the-Moon, went through several drafts over the years.
-
-
Delightful Magic from Tolkien and Jacobi!
- By Jefferson on 09-05-10
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
The Children of Hurin
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Christopher Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There are tales of Middle-earth from times long before The Lord of the Rings. The story told in this book is set in the great country that lay beyond the Grey Havens in the West: lands where Treebeard once walked, but which were drowned in the great cataclysm that ended the First Age of the World.
-
-
Powerful and Disturbing
- By Catherine Collins on 12-19-09
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Tales from the Perilous Realm (Dramatised)
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Matthew Morgan
- Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michael Hordern stars as J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, in four BBC Radio full-cast dramatisations. Tolkien's tales of myth, mystery, and rumbustious exploits have been specially adapted for radio by Brian Sibley, one of the dramatists of the highly acclaimed BBC radio production of The Lord of the Rings.
-
-
Leaf by Niggle was so exquisitely written that it brought me to tears!
- By Nancymeansgrace on 07-22-16
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
The Return of the King (Dramatized)
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: full cast
- Length: 3 hrs and 33 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
War rages in the west, a titanic battle of will and strategy between the great wizard Gandalf and Sauron, the dark lord. Meanwhile, eastward in Mordor, Frodo and Sam approach the end of their improbable quest, bearing the One Ring ever closer to the Cracks of Doom, and to a final confrontation with the very essence of evil.
-
-
An excellent rendition!
- By R. Compton on 08-25-13
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
The Two Towers (Dramatized)
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: An Ensemble Cast
- Length: 3 hrs and 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Fellowship is broken; the quest to destroy the Ring seems already shrouded in disaster. But as the evil lord Sauron readies his armies for war, Frodo and Sam continue their lonely journey toward Mordor, guided only by Gollum, a deceitful and tortured creature, helplessly in thrall to the Ring's dark power.
-
-
Poor Recording
- By Ashley on 01-04-12
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
-
Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'
- By: Corey Olsen
- Narrated by: Corey Olsen
- Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Hobbit is one of the most widely read and best-loved books of the 20th century. Now Professor Corey Olsen takes listeners deep within the text to uncover its secrets and delights. Chapter by chapter, he reveals the stories within the story: the dark desires of dwarves and the sublime laughter of elves, the nature of evil and its hopelessness, the mystery of divine providence and human choice, and, most of all, the transformation within the life of Bilbo Baggins.
-
-
Appreciation, Not Dissection
- By Troy on 05-09-15
By: Corey Olsen
Publisher's Summary
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.
More from the same
What listeners say about A Rare Recording of J. R. R. Tolkien
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tracet
- 04-21-15
Not all Tolkien - wish I'd noticed that
So NOW I notice "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" ... William Elvin is an operatic baritone, which for me is the polar opposite of the characters whose songs he sings. (Also, whoever accompanied him on the piano hit some terribly painful notes.) Hobbits are - for me - neither operatic nor baritone; Elves are - for me - possibly operatic, but not baritone. And I disliked the arrangements.
Long, long ago I had found an audiotape of the Professor reading - as I recall, side A was "Riddles in the Dark" from The Hobbit, and side B included some of what was here, did not include some of what was here (I don't recall Perry-the-Winkle, or this version of Tom Bombadil), and also included poems that are not here. That tape meant a lot to me - Tolkien reciting "A Elbereth Gilthoniel" was the first time I ever heard Elvish, and the only time until the movies. That was what I, not reading the description and just assuming, thought I was getting with this. Now I need to go find the tape wherever it's lurking in the house.
31 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anniebligh
- 12-13-11
A very rare treat
To hear in his own voice, a selection of J.R.R.Tolkien's poetry and a few elvish words is a great treat. Perhaps I may have preferred to hear the songs with harp or pipe, rather than piano. Did Middle Earth have a piano? Regardless, the poetry is a joy.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Becke
- 02-11-15
The Master at Work
If you could sum up A Rare Recording of J. R. R. Tolkien in three words, what would they be?
Inspirational, Rare, Perfect
What other book might you compare A Rare Recording of J. R. R. Tolkien to and why?
I have no other books to compare. Hearing Tolkien read his own work is a phenomenal joy! The way he pronounces things, the cadence of his tone and the tombre of his voice bring form the magic of Middle Earth to a new generation.
What about J. R. R. Tolkien’s performance did you like?
His beautiful low voice reading these poems the way he intended for them to be read is magical. The old Oxford Professor knows how to tell a great tale and the beautiful thoughtful tone in which he reads his own work is captivating.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes and many times since! I love this recording.
Any additional comments?
Buy it. Listen. Sit at the feet of the Professor and enjoy his work from a new perspective. It's worth the time.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Siri
- 05-21-13
Just GO
You will love this one and you should have it in a collection whit the rest of your Tolkien books.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lyle C Brown
- 12-31-12
Discover the songs the way they were meant to be
A couple of his stories, told by Tolkien himself, a short passage read in elven, and a song sung by the author. I won't give it away, but Tolkien envisioned the songs in a manner I bet you have never considered! Otherwise, nothing new here, just a chance to hear the master himself.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Maggs
- 04-17-16
Exceptional surprise for a Tolkienite!
This was really something special to hear Tolkien tell some of his stories. You can hear in his voice how much he loved it!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ronnie R
- 01-26-16
Very awesome
This is a voice that could be listen to four hours. Some of the poetry has been lost and is wonderful to hear if red so clearly and so poetically. Listening to his single as well has his rate has been a true delight. RP Rouse
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Steve Morningstar
- 02-03-15
Tolkien in his own voice
All it promised and more. Great to hear Tolkien's voice. Throughly enjoyed it. A true treasure. I'm ready to listen to it a third time now.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jeff Harris
- 08-07-12
A Taste of the Mastermind behind Middle Earth
I have read many books by J.R.R. Tolkien and enjoyed them all. I did not hesitate to grab this short audiobook simply because I was interested to hear him read some of his work in his own voice. It is nothing mind-blowing or amazing but I enjoyed just hearing him speak and sing about the world he created.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jessica
- 03-02-22
Good Good.
I really enjoyed listening to J.R.R Tolkien perform. The song by William Elvin was beautifully done too.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 05-26-21
Pretty special
Be aware it's not a story as such, but an old, scratchy, utterly delightful recording of Mr Tolkien himself performing his own poems and songs, including The Road Goes Ever On and On and a few bits of Elvish. A little bit of history.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 02-16-20
Wonderful
The voice of the master of middle earth himself reading poems and song he had wrote. Some of which appear in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien’s reading is nice to hear.