The Thirty-nine Steps


Read by Adrian Praetzellis

(4.6 stars; 1389 reviews)

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) (4 hr 20 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1 30:13 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chapter 2 16:31 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chapter 3 30:14 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chapter 4 27:48 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chapter 5 23:11 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chapter 6 36:50 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chapter 7 26:31 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chapter 8 19:10 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chapter 9 15:39 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chapter 10 34:35 Read by Adrian Praetzellis

Reviews

Such a fun spy thriller!


(5 stars)

the reader is AMAZING!!! THOSE SCOTTISH ACCENTS! The story was a joyride, too--a real adventure with high stakes, shifting loyalties, ciphers and chases and disguises. Hannay is a fun and interesting character, an able spy and yet human enough to be relatable. the narrative humanizes all the characters, which I really appreciate, and it was interesting to see glimpses of the political climate at the time. overall, an awesome book that made my day at work a million times better.

The narrator made this book even more enjoyable.


(5 stars)

This is a great book in its natural form so don’t be fooled by having watched the movies and thinking you know the story. The narrator was fantastic. So well read with a good, distinct voice for each character. It was an absolute pleasure and his voice was very soothing. Definitely worth a relaxing time-out.

Albania is the type of place that might keep a man from yawning


(5 stars)

loved it, great story of a selfish dilettante who became central to solving a great mystery

ALWAYS EXCELLENT


(5 stars)

Never get tired of this story or the movie! The reader is fabulous and I loved his small aside! I love fishing, too!!🌹

one of my favorite readers


(5 stars)

so much action! it had me on edge most of the time. I usually listen to this twice a year.


(5 stars)

Simply putting this, it's a brilliant audiobook with a lovely narration that makes you want to go through it in one go!!

excellent reading


(5 stars)

loved the timbre, pacing, and clarity of the reading. a great tale. Very enjoyable to listen to.

Great reader and a great adventure.


(5 stars)

Brilliant diction, fragrance of old times bought back by the author.