John Buchan: The 39 Steps (1915)

Buchan's classic boys own adventure which starts in late May 1914, when World War I is imminent in Europe, Richard Hannay returns home to London after having lived and worked in Rhodesia as a mining engineer. One night, his neighbour, an American who claims to be in fear for his life, asks if Hannay can let him in.

[@Trampas8]

Robert Powell - one of the best narrators. His readings of Sommerset Maugham stories - superb.

[@nmr6988]

My husband loved this book. Listening to it made me miss him terribly, but it also made me happy.

[@localbod]

He obviously had good taste. It's a classic.

[@declanoleary1]

Great narration by Robert Powell

[@pauladams9893]

Po⁰』⁰d⁰

[@johnroche7541]

Richard Powell also stars as Richard Hannay in the most faithful adaptation of the novel. This version also stars Sir John Mills and David Warner is very menacing as one of the bad guys.

[@redlightspellsdanger7177]

@@johnroche7541Robert…

[@johnroche7541]

@@redlightspellsdanger7177 Thank you for that. I am using my phone which has predictive text and when it comes to some names such as "Robert" it will type out "Richard" despite me typing out "Robert" in the first place. Sometimes it literally changes at the moment of sending. I am a big fan of Robert. He was great playing Jesus in a movie and he also played Jude in a 1970's BBC adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel "Jude The Obscure". He was also in a version of "The Four Feathers". He has narrated many military documentaries too. Thank you again.

[@localbod]

Thank you very much for posting this. I have only ever known the 1935 Hitchcock film adaptation and it was a joy to listen to the original text via Robert Powell's rich voice.

[@RockinRedRover]

crikey, where have you been haha, or maybe you're just very young lucky bod - the more recent film versions have both been on UK freetoair tv recently, and many times in the past. Ken More's from 1959 is a hoot in glorious colour, Powell's own 1978 version is excellent too albeit more serious, and this despite them both differing in many ways from the book, they're probably nearer to the Hitchcock version. There was also a "Hannay" tv series in the late 80s starring Powell, worth a look, also been on uk tv. As was a far more recent film verson made for BBCtv, which bore little resemblance to the book, but was a decent yarn. But yes, THIS is the best version I've experienced !

[@RockinRedRover]

I've enjoyed 3 film versions of this superb tale, a recent BBC TV drama, and a few different audio books, yet have never read the actual book, or indeed any of Buchan's novels. Hence I can only guess that this version is unabridged and true to the novel. I say this due to the constant attention to detail, the lack of the usual (yet unlikely) romantic love interest, and the simple fact that it is easily the best of them all. Add the superb narration by Robert Powell - I also enjoyed his "Hannay" tv series - and this was a brilliant find today, and listened to it at one sitting. Many thanks to the downloader !

[@markmasterson4811]

Absolutely superb reading by the narrator.

[@lauralaladarling3775]

Fantastic story and magnificent narration. Thank you. Xxx

[@chrisgale5634]

I had this version on tapes when it came out years ago. It is by far the best narration.😊

[@johnroche7541]

Great narration by Robert Powell who actually starred as Richard Hannay in a very faithful adaptation of this great novel. This adaptation also stars the great Sir John Mills and David Warner is very menancing one of the bad guy's.

[@Gribbo9999]

Yes a very good movie.

[@georgirosehempson1454]

I love this book and narration, simply stunning and timeless, could be present day.Thankyou

[@annharlan8926]

Excellent book and absolutely wonderful narration.

[@katec5182]

Excellent narration 👍👍👍

[@mypuppydogtizzy1058]

according to a BBC r4 program, the name 39 steps simply came to the author while sitting on the verandah watching his grandson jumping up and down the steps at his seaside house, and the little boy shouted up there's 39 granddad 39, and it's that simple even though his grandson got it wrong.

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

I found myself laughing out loud at certain points in the story... "I gave the man half a crown because he yawned"...got me rolling...😂

[@howard1beale]

What an amazing voicd. Very melodious

[@corrupt1238]

Wonderful, thank you for the upload

[@leosmith848]

at last. The actual book as written

[@lynneforbes4420]

Beautiful! Lovely voice and narrated perfectly,

[@Tantejuju65]

Perfection

[@willmpet]

The movie is in my top ten (not easy to be chosen)but my brother prefers the book. I have read it before and it is so good to hear!

[@localbod]

Personally, although it is quite different, I prefer the Hitchcock adaption made in 1935 over the more faithful version starring Robert Powell.

[@clare6896]

Superb reading. Thanks for a great listening treat.

[@kathryn1050]

Brilliant!! Thank you.

[@lisabayliss3394]

Ooooh yes ,looking forward to this Thanks

[@mackattack701]

Wow! Fantastic reading and suspenseful, intriguing story! Loved it❤

[@Pluscelamemechose]

Fabulous. Pure genius. Thank you.

[@alannothnagle]

Superb narration! I‘ve loved this story since I was a teenager. It‘s pure Tintin, and I couldn‘t help thinking back to King Ottokar‘s Sceptre and particularly The Black Island, which is also set in Scotland. All that‘s missing is a plucky white terrier and, perhaps, a crusty old sea captain!

[@Greatstoriesyoulllove]

You should check out ‘Rogue Male’ (which I also posted) for that Boys Own type adventure

[@Greatstoriesyoulllove]

Ha, sounds like we read the same books growing up

[@Venejan]

Yes, it's all great stuff!! @@Greatstoriesyoulllove

[@TheRetro60s]

An absolute must for anyone who loves a good adventure story.

[@doreekaplan2589]

There are no current adventure story authors

[@lynneforbes4420]

Compliments on your Scottish accent too- it’s very authentic.

[@johnnya867]

Never read the book but enjoying this very much. The film with Robert donat an absolute classic in my humble opinion

[@VilhelmHammershoi1666]

Yes, directed by Hitchcock private Frazer John Laurie Peggy ashcroft also appear in the film

[@localbod]

That is one of my favourite films of all time. This is the first time I have heard the text from the book. Jamaica Inn (the film) with Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara and Leslie Banks is another one that I think is quite excellent.

[@user-hn7my8ow4s]

Excellent.

[@colinglass1342]

Robert Powell has been in various film and TV roles all are top rate

[@andrewbalfour9373]

Absolutely brilliant 👏 Can I ask though if this has been re-recorded? I've listened to this before with Robert Powell a few times and their seems subtle differences..

[@Greatstoriesyoulllove]

I have no idea

[@chrisgale5634]

No this is the original. It came out on tape from BBC audio, I think in late 80s. I remember purchasing it direct from them at the time.

[@private_ventures2592]

Oh man, Hannay was a BEEEEAAAST

[@Austongold]

Try to find the ending

[@CosmicRabbitCarma]

25:31 Chapter 2

[@abcmyrie]

56:42

[@Pluscelamemechose]

I don't know if I can take almost 4 hours of thinking, " just flipping TELL me".

[@Greatstoriesyoulllove]

That’s the fun of the story…lol, maybe stick to short stories 😂😂

[@Pluscelamemechose]

@Great stories you’ll love but that's silly. ;)

[@mypuppydogtizzy1058]

it was the vicker that dun it

[@Pluscelamemechose]

@mypuppydogtizzy1058 thank you.

[@veritas6335]

Whatever is the precipitating event in this story is impossible to know - the first fifteen minutes make no sense at all. What on earth is Scudder talking about? Why is he killed? What's with all the anti-Semitic blather? The fact that the narrator makes a hash of imitating an American accent just makes it worse. The rest of the story is pretty silly, but the narrator's voice is so calm and soothing it puts you right to sleep, which is the goal of this stuff after all.

[@barbaravickroy7563]

An hour has been cut from the recording, that might explain

[@chrisgale5634]

​@barbaravickroy7563 there is no cut

[@martygreg798]

Waste of time. Unrealistic collection of nonsense.

[@Muttonchop_USA]

Narrated by Jesus.

[@Gottenhimfella]

I know what you mean. Interesting how he pronounces "gimlet" with a soft g, though... I'm wondering if the English speaking world has said it wrong ever since 1066.

[@mypuppydogtizzy1058]

he'd been hanging around for a year

[@alanbraithwaite3394]

Adrian Praetzellis LibriVox free audio books does an excellent reading of this book.