Product Description

The BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatization!

Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have") and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox--the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years.

Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? Why do we spend so much time between wearing digital watches? For all the answers stick your thumb to the stars. And don't forget to bring a towel!

Presented Fully Dramatized on 3 CDs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #389650 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-02
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Binding: Library Binding

Customer Reviews

The BBC Radio version is, in my opinion, the best.
This 3 CD package contains the original six episodes--they call them "fits"--of the BBC Radio series broadcast in 1978. Each fit is approximately 30 minutes long. There are 7-13 tracks per fit, so that you can quickly and easily go forwards or backwards in any episode--as close to hyperdrive as your going to get. The sound quality is excellent.

As the title of my review indicates, my favorite version of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the radio version. The BBC Radio broadcasts were the first medium through which The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy was introduced to the world, with the books, TV series and film coming later. Peter Jones' performance as the Book is outstanding.

That being said, I think it beneficial to read the book (if you haven't already) prior to listening to the CD's, so that you know the basic story line. I say the basic story line, because the book and the radio version differ on occasions.

Listen to these CD's in your car, and you'll arrive at your destination before you really want to--who needs an Improbability Drive.

The best by far
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has had numerous incarnations: novels, TV series, an ill fated stage play, a text based video game, a full length movie, and other obscure manifestations. However, the one that started it all was in fact the 1979 radio broadcast. The series is written for the ear, and no other performance is quite like the original. Any fan of the books should be glad to own the medium that started it all.

The first and best!
Of all the incarnations this story has gone through, I still believe that this original BBC radiophonic production is the best!