Tarzan of the Apes


Read by Mark F. Smith

(4.7 stars; 2040 reviews)

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

Bravo from Borneo


(5 stars)

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!!

Great, romping story


(5 stars)

A great story and a window into times past. I enjoyed it as much for the wruting and story as for the time capsule into the thinkung of a distant colonial past. It absolutly does not pass tid today's ethos, thank goodness. But we understand ourselves better when we understand iur past. Another masterful read b Mr. Smith

fantastic


(5 stars)

I've only known Tarzan from films so this great reading was an eye opener and a lot more realistic ( however improbable the story is!) A wonderful flight of fancy and escape into a different world. I loved it and although it 1AM am starting on the next book !!! ( just a chapter or 5!)

Really good book


(5 stars)

Great audio quality and really well read by Mark F Smith. All of his book are of high quality reading. The story is so much better then the movies I remember from when I was young.

Tarzan of the apes review


(5 stars)

Terrific reading of an old classic that brought it back to life for me, with much I had forgotten. Simply the purest voice intonations perfectly matching the characters and the events. Bravo!

Beautifully Read!


(5 stars)

I have been listening to LibriVox for so many years, and I dare say this is the best reader I have ever heard. The cadence and tone of his voice allowed me to understand every single word perfectly. As for the story itself, it is true there are some upsetting parts, but it is a period piece about Africa, with African natives, Europeans, and Americans, so you can imagine. I was struck by the depth of the author's study of the nature of man. It was very thought provoking.

fun story,


(4 stars)

however impossible it is a fun read and I enjoy how the sense of honor and morality is held so high making Tarzan not just a interesting figure, but a real hero, able to put others about himself and even though raised animal shows a most human and almost divine love in giving up himself and his dreams of marriage for the wellbeing of the one he loves.

Jenni J


(5 stars)

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.