-
The Greatest Gift
- A Christmas Tale
- Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
- Length: 50 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
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 $5.66
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Holiday Classics by O. Henry
- By: O. Henry
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren, Oliver Wyman, Jonathan Davis
- Length: 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When it comes to the holidays, no story captures the true spirit of giving like O. Henry’s classic "The Gift of the Magi". And in celebration of the season, Audie Award® winners Katherine Kellgren, Oliver Wyman, and Jonathan Davis bring to life this timeless Christmas tale, plus two more of O. Henry’s holiday gems: "The Cop and the Anthem" and "The Last Leaf".
-
-
Three well-narrated classic tales
- By Jim Hall on 12-22-13
By: O. Henry
-
The Cricket on the Hearth
- By: Charles Dickens
- Narrated by: Jim Dale
- Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The holidays are upon us, and this year Audible is very happy to present to our members one of Charles Dickens’ most popular Christmas stories, The Cricket on the Hearth. This holiday classic (original subtitle: “A Fairy Tale of Home”) tells the innocent, picturesque, and charming story of a poor family and their would-be guardian angel; in short, a delightful vision of Victorian Christmas. As always, a great story calls for a great voice, so we’ve brought in legendary actor and record-breaking Audie and Grammy award-winning narrator Jim Dale ( The Night Circus). Happy holidays and happy listening!
-
-
Last Paragraph Missing?
- By T. Brennan on 01-01-16
By: Charles Dickens
-
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
-
A Christmas Story
- The Book That Inspired the Hilarious Classic Film
- By: Jean Shepherd
- Narrated by: Dick Cavett
- Length: 3 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The holiday film A Christmas Story, first released in 1983, has become a bona fide Christmas perennial, gaining in stature and fame with each succeeding year. Its affectionate, wacky, and wryly realistic portrayal of an American family's typical Christmas joys and travails in small-town Depression-era Indiana has entered our imagination and our hearts with a force equal to It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street.
-
-
Poor Jean Shepherd
- By Jimmy on 05-28-11
By: Jean Shepherd
-
It's a Wonderful Life
- Classic Movies on the Radio
- By: Screen Director's Playhouse
- Narrated by: James Stewart, Frank Capra
- Length: 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This radio dramatization of the classic movie is introduced by its director, Frank Capra, and features James Stewart re-creating his Oscar-nominated role. It aired on May 8, 1949.
-
-
A Holiday Favorite
- By Beth on 11-04-08
-
Jacob T. Marley
- By: R. William Bennett
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 4 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Marley was dead to begin with...." These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennett rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge’s miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn’t he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge? Or had he?
-
-
This is my favorite book! I listen to it all year
- By Lyle K Holden on 08-07-17
-
Holiday Classics by O. Henry
- By: O. Henry
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren, Oliver Wyman, Jonathan Davis
- Length: 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When it comes to the holidays, no story captures the true spirit of giving like O. Henry’s classic "The Gift of the Magi". And in celebration of the season, Audie Award® winners Katherine Kellgren, Oliver Wyman, and Jonathan Davis bring to life this timeless Christmas tale, plus two more of O. Henry’s holiday gems: "The Cop and the Anthem" and "The Last Leaf".
-
-
Three well-narrated classic tales
- By Jim Hall on 12-22-13
By: O. Henry
-
The Cricket on the Hearth
- By: Charles Dickens
- Narrated by: Jim Dale
- Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The holidays are upon us, and this year Audible is very happy to present to our members one of Charles Dickens’ most popular Christmas stories, The Cricket on the Hearth. This holiday classic (original subtitle: “A Fairy Tale of Home”) tells the innocent, picturesque, and charming story of a poor family and their would-be guardian angel; in short, a delightful vision of Victorian Christmas. As always, a great story calls for a great voice, so we’ve brought in legendary actor and record-breaking Audie and Grammy award-winning narrator Jim Dale ( The Night Circus). Happy holidays and happy listening!
-
-
Last Paragraph Missing?
- By T. Brennan on 01-01-16
By: Charles Dickens
-
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
-
A Christmas Story
- The Book That Inspired the Hilarious Classic Film
- By: Jean Shepherd
- Narrated by: Dick Cavett
- Length: 3 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The holiday film A Christmas Story, first released in 1983, has become a bona fide Christmas perennial, gaining in stature and fame with each succeeding year. Its affectionate, wacky, and wryly realistic portrayal of an American family's typical Christmas joys and travails in small-town Depression-era Indiana has entered our imagination and our hearts with a force equal to It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street.
-
-
Poor Jean Shepherd
- By Jimmy on 05-28-11
By: Jean Shepherd
-
It's a Wonderful Life
- Classic Movies on the Radio
- By: Screen Director's Playhouse
- Narrated by: James Stewart, Frank Capra
- Length: 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This radio dramatization of the classic movie is introduced by its director, Frank Capra, and features James Stewart re-creating his Oscar-nominated role. It aired on May 8, 1949.
-
-
A Holiday Favorite
- By Beth on 11-04-08
-
Jacob T. Marley
- By: R. William Bennett
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 4 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Marley was dead to begin with...." These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennett rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge’s miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn’t he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge? Or had he?
-
-
This is my favorite book! I listen to it all year
- By Lyle K Holden on 08-07-17
-
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- By: Dr. Seuss
- Narrated by: Walter Matthau
- Length: 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville's holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday.
-
-
Great book!
- By Beckieweckie on 01-03-15
By: Dr. Seuss
-
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 1 hr and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this short story, Hercule Poirot is asked to attend a Christmas celebration in order to apprehend a jewel thief who has taken advantage of an unwary Eastern prince.
-
-
Just ok for me nothing too shocking
- By Erica Paulk on 12-07-20
By: Agatha Christie
-
Miracle on 34th Street
- By: Valentine Davies, Todd Strasser
- Narrated by: Carl Reiner
- Length: 1 hr and 31 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Miracle on 34th Street begins when a last-minute replacement in the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade claims to be the genuine Santa. Is he the real thing or just a charlatan in a red fuzzy coat? In a classic courtroom climax, the department store's Kris Kringle convinces everyone, including a skeptical little girl named Susan Walker, that Santa Claus really does exist.
-
-
Wonderful Christmas in July Listen
- By Kustomer on 07-05-20
By: Valentine Davies, and others
-
Hercule Poirot's Christmas
- A Hercule Poirot Mystery
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Hugh Fraser
- Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Christmas Eve, and the Lee family's reunion is shattered by a deafening crash of furniture and a high-pitched wailing scream. Upstairs, the tyrannical Simeon Lee lies dead in a pool of blood, his throat slashed. When Hercule Poirot offers to assist, he finds an atmosphere not of mourning but of mutual suspicion. It seems everyone had their own reason to hate the old man....
-
-
It's not very Christmas-y
- By Terry Lawrence on 01-07-17
By: Agatha Christie
-
Christmas by the Book
- By: Anne Marie Ryan
- Narrated by: Esther Wane
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nora and her husband, Simon, have run the beautiful oak-beamed book shop in their small British village for 30 years. But times are tough, and the shop is under threat of closure - this Christmas season will really decide their fate. When an elderly man visits the store and buys the one book they've never been able to sell, saying it's the perfect gift for his sick grandson, it gives Nora an idea. She and Simon will send out books to those feeling down this Christmas.
-
-
Have patience
- By Kristyn Rose on 11-23-21
By: Anne Marie Ryan
-
Mr. Dickens and His Carol
- A Novel
- By: Samantha Silva
- Narrated by: Euan Morton
- Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Charles Dickens is not feeling the Christmas spirit. His newest book is an utter flop, the critics have turned against him, relatives near and far hound him for money. While his wife plans a lavish holiday party for their ever-expanding family and circle of friends, Dickens has visions of the poor house. But when his publishers try to blackmail him into writing a Christmas book to save them all from financial ruin, he refuses. And a serious bout of writer's block sets in.
-
-
Ultimately worth it
- By Linda on 12-13-17
By: Samantha Silva
-
Amazing Peace and Other Poems
- And Other Poems by Maya Angelou
- By: Maya Angelou
- Narrated by: Maya Angelou
- Length: 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Amazing Peace" is a beautiful and deeply moving poem from Maya Angelou. Here she inspires us to embrace the peace and promise of Christmas, so that hope and love can once again light up our holidays and the world. "Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers, look heavenward," she writes, "and speak the word aloud. Peace." "Amazing Peace" is Maya Angelou's radiant affirmation of the goodness of life and is a touching celebration of the "Glad Season" that will resonate with people of all faiths.
-
-
Spoken Beauty
- By Chandra on 01-05-06
By: Maya Angelou
-
Skipping Christmas
- A Novel
- By: John Grisham
- Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Best selling author John Grisham ( A Time to Kill, The Brethren) returns with a new tale for modern times, offering a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become a part of our holiday tradition.
-
-
Simple Pleasures!
- By Lisa Runzo on 03-02-08
By: John Grisham
-
Hellfire
- By: John Saul
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The day that the iron doors of the old mill in Westover, Massachusetts, closed forever is a day that still haunts the sleepy town’s residents. On that fateful day 100 years ago, 11 people died in a fearsome fire, and since then, no one has dared to revisit the mill or the dark secrets locked inside it. Now, a member of the once-powerful Sturgess family has aspirations to reopen the mill. Little does Philip Sturgess know that by unlocking the padlock he is also unlocking horrible secrets from the past. There are forces at work that will do their best to see the mill doors stay tightly closed.
-
-
Mediocre...across the board
- By Phillip on 05-23-14
By: John Saul
-
It's a Wonderful Life
- By: Julia Williams
- Narrated by: Debra Michaels
- Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A sparkling new Christmas novel from Julia Williams. It's Christmas, and Beth King is preparing to spend it in the bosom of her family, doing the same things they have done since time immemorial: arguing with each other, stuffing themselves silly, putting up with Grandad making them watch the Queen, and having the family row by teatime. Despite having children of their own, Beth and her husband, Daniel, have never quite managed to escape the horrors of the Holroyd family Christmas.
By: Julia Williams
-
A Christmas Carol
- By: Charles Dickens
- Narrated by: Derek Miller
- Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" is a timeless Christmas story beloved by generations of readers. Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean, miserable, bitter old man with no friends. One cold Christmas Eve, three ghosts take him on a scary journey to show him the error of his nasty ways. By visiting his past, present and future, Scrooge learns to love Christmas and the people all around him.
-
-
Well done rendition of this classic!
- By Amazon Customer on 12-04-18
By: Charles Dickens
-
Miracle on 34th Street
- Classic Movies on the Radio
- By: Lux Radio Theatre
- Narrated by: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn
- Length: 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This radio dramatization of the classic movie features the original stars, including Edmund Gwenn re-creating his Academy Award-winning role. It aired on December 20, 1948.
-
-
Almost like the movie!
- By A. Bunker on 12-27-16
Publisher's Summary
The heartwarming story that became the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life, now available in audio for the first time!
For almost 70 years, people the world over have fallen in love with Frank Capra’s classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life. But few of those fans know that Capra’s film was based on a short story by author Philip Van Doren Stern, which came to Stern in a dream one night.
Unable at first to find a publisher for his evocative tale about a man named George Pratt who ponders suicide until he receives an opportunity to see what the world would be like without him, Stern ultimately published the story in a small pamphlet and sent it out as his 1943 Christmas card. One of those 200 cards found its way into the hands of Frank Capra, who shared it with Jimmy Stewart, and the film that resulted became the holiday tradition we cherish today.
Now fans of It’s a Wonderful Life, or anyone who loves the spirit of Christmas, can own the story that started it all in a charming audio edition that’s perfect for holiday giving. It includes an Afterword by Stern’s daughter, Marguerite Stern Robinson, that tells the story of how her father’s Christmas card became the movie beloved by generations of people around the world.
Featured Article: It’s a Wonderful Life—Book vs. Movie
It's a Wonderful Life is widely acknowledged as the best Christmas film of all time. So, it's kind of hard to believe that when the film premiered in 1946, it was considered a near-flop because it didn't find immediate financial success. It wasn't until the advent of television programming and a clerical mistake in licensing that It's a Wonderful Life was played on TV, again and again, propelling it to become an enduring favorite among audiences, especially at Christmastime. But like the film's origins, "The Greatest Gift," the story that inspired it, also had a fraught beginning.
More from the same
Author
What listeners say about The Greatest Gift
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Wendi
- 11-28-15
A must-read for any fan of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
If you love learning about the story behind the story, this book is well worth the money (or credit). I only wish the story itself and the afterword (by the author's daughter) could have been longer!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Diane
- 12-17-19
Wonderful Indeed!
it's such a privilege to be able to hear the origins of one of my most beloved Christmas movies, Its a Wonderful Life! I will for sure be gifting this to people this holiday season.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Michael Wells Purcell
- 12-22-17
Great to learn the background to a Holiday classic
Listened to the entire thing in 2 or 3 sessions. Fun to learn the history behind this uplifting story
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Debbie
- 12-13-17
It's a Wonderful Life Primer
The story is good, even better is the afterward, when Marguerite Stern Robinson, the author's daughter, tells how the story came about, was finally published, discovered by Frank Capra and made into the movie. In a time in America when a feel-good story was greatly needed, when many people were feeling like George . . . downtrodden, a failure at life, and broken in spirit . . . along came this story. Don't miss it!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dave
- 01-22-19
Very brief origin story has merit
This story is fine. Reading the actual text of the original greeting card is interesting. I would say hearing the text in the greeting card was fine, and represented very well in the film. The interesting pieces of this book are the words spoken about the origin, and path by which this film finds its way into our hearts.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jeanine W. Smith
- 11-26-16
Change Your Life with "The Greatest Gift"
Would you listen to The Greatest Gift again? Why?
I listen to "The Greatest Gift" once a week--and often with a grandchild in my car.
Which character – as performed by Edward Herrmann – was your favorite?
Clarence
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Absolutely
Any additional comments?
Make it a habit.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Arthur Hutchinson
- 12-23-21
An Awesome listen!
Wonderful story that uplifts and inspires. I love the history about this classic movie and nice touch to hear the author’s real daughter sharing their legacy.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Hebern
- 12-30-15
Great for learning the story behind the movie
Any additional comments?
As a fan of It's A Wonderful Life, it was great to learn the story behind the movie. How the tale evolved and how the short story struggled to find an audience and eventually was made into one of the most popular movies of all-time.
-
Overall
- C. Smith
- 12-25-15
fantastic
loved the movie and cherish this story. I didn't discover this u till I became a adult. but now this is a family tradition
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Arlene Finnigan
- 12-23-19
Sweet (if very short) story
This is a sweet story, familiar to everyone as the basis of the film It's A Wonderful Life. It's a lot shorter than I was expecting, and much more sparse than the film, but interesting to see where the story originated.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Garbo
- 12-04-19
Very short!
I knew this was a short story, but I was not expecting half of the audiobook to be commentary about the book and the film (It's a Wonderful Life).
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- minitarget
- 01-03-19
The Greatest Gift
The Greatest Gift is A wonderful story for everyone for all time It’s a Wonderful Life