Tarzan of the Apes
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Read by Mark F. Smith





Tarzan of the Apes is Burroughs’ exciting, if improbable, story of an English lord, left by the death of his stranded parents in the hands of a motherly African ape who raises him as her own. Although he is aware that he is different from the apes of his tribe, who are neither white nor hairless, he nevertheless regards them as his “people.” When older, larger, stronger apes decide that he an undesirable to be killed or expelled from the tribe, it is fortunate that Tarzan has learned the use of primitive weapons.
Although small and weak by ape standards, Tarzan is a human of god-like strength and agility to men who discover him. By studying these people, he gradually decides he is not an ape at all, but human.
And when he meets Jane, a beautiful American girl marooned with her father and friends on the hostile coast of Africa, Tarzan conceives love for her. When they are unexpectedly rescued before Tarzan can find a way to reveal his feelings to Jane, he determines to become civilized and follow her into the world of people – to find her and wed her, though he must cross continents and oceans, and compete with two other suitors for her hand.
This story was the subject of a successful film in 1932, with Tarzan being played by Johnny Weissmuller, who acted in a further eleven Tarzan films. According to Weissmuller in an interview with Mike Douglas, his famous ape-call was audio stitched together from a soprano, an alto, and a hog-caller! Summary by Mark F. Smith
(9 hr 20 min)Chapters
Out of the Sea | 23:18 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Savage Home | 20:42 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Life and Death | 14:52 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Apes | 16:21 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The White Ape | 17:44 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Jungle Battles | 14:13 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Light of Knowledge | 25:53 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Tree-Top Hunter | 12:37 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Man and Man | 23:34 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Fear-Phantom | 11:36 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
King of the Apes | 22:41 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Man’s Reason | 17:58 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
His Own Kind | 29:36 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
At the Mercy of the Jungle | 21:25 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Forest God | 10:33 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Most Remarkable | 20:59 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Burials | 22:07 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Jungle Toll | 23:04 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Call of the Primitive | 22:40 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Heredity | 26:01 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Village of Torture | 13:30 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Search Party | 22:19 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Brother Men | 18:27 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Lost Treasure | 17:08 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Outpost of the World | 22:29 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Height of Civilization | 22:10 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Giant Again | 26:41 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Conclusion | 20:21 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Reviews
A Wonderful Tale





Donald Gilmore
Although very non-pc in today's world, it is a story of self discovery and sacrifice. Mark is an excellent reader and I look forward to hearing more of his works. I am looking forward to the new Tarzan movie just to see how close they stay to the spirit of the book.
OUTSTANDING BOOK/NARRATION!





JR Pinto
How it took me so long to read this book, I don't know. One of the best, most exciting adventure novels ever! Mr. Smith is like a professional narrator. Would listen to another book he reads just for the performance.
great reader





Annipanni
Five stars for the reader! Somehow, having only known the Disney adaptation before, I wasn't aware of all the race issues in this story. But oh my. I was all prepared for swooning ladies and noble ape men learning to read and speak in two days, okay. Somehow I wasn't prepared for african tribes and how they are shown, the fact that Jane and Co. were NOT the first humans Tarzan has ever seen (he grew up among them!!) but simply the first white ones, so, you know, finally someone intelligent and civilized like him.... I don't want to go on its pointless. If you listen to it, treat it as window to the past and how an average person must have thought of race, civilization and eugenetics back then. It's chilling. On the other hand I'm willing to get through anything just for these jewels like Tarzan's love letter: "I am Tarzan of the Apes. I want you. I am yours. You are mine. We live here together always in my house." Now who wouldn't swoon over that...?
Bravo from Borneo





Lord Jim
So pleased I decided to listen to this book...simply because it was read by Mark Smith...my favourite narrator. The book is so different from the movies and TV series I have previously viewed. Such a treat to listen to older English and to have such an insight into life growing up in the jungle with such binary choices made from a practical perspective to sustain life. Whilst there are clearly flaws in Tarzan's ability to learn the written English language yet not speak it...this can be overlooked in the whole of the book...a rip roaring yarn. Marvellous!!
Jenni J





Jenni J
No rainy Saturday afternoon tv movie of Tarzan ever came close to story line of the original book by ERB. Very well written and thought-out, down to the character and motives of the African wild life. Wouldn't a modern narrated movie adaptation be wonderful? A note of thanks to the reader as well, who did a very fine job. I will persue him further.
Not Disney's Tarzan





Evan M
I didn't expect it to really be the same, but it was far different than I thought it would be. Still very, very good. The ending surprised me. And as always, Mark Smith, I wish you could read every book they offer on here. Reading was superb and story was very good.
well done.





Dw
Mark Smith does a great job reading this book. I'm only a few chapters in but it's definitely one of the best I've heard on librivox. when i finish this book I'm going to check out some of his other reads. Good one, Mark.





Libby
Mark Smith, what a beautiful job you did reading this book. I am bedbound so I listen to a lot of books. I could listen to you read the phone book! Thank you for the enormous amount of time recording these books must take.