Book description
From the bestselling author of The Clockwork Universe and The Writing of the Gods, a historical adventure story about the eccentric Victorians who discovered dinosaur bones, leading to a whole new understanding of human history. In the early 1800s the world was a safe and cozy place. But then a twelve-year-old farm boy in Massachusetts stumbled on a row of fossilized three-toed footprints the size of dinner plates--the first dinosaur tracks ever found. Soon, in England, Victorians unearthed enormous bones--bones that reached as high as a man's head. No one had ever seen such things. Outside of myths and fairy tales, no one had even imagined that creatures like three-toed giants had once lumbered across the land. And if anyone had somehow conjured up such a scene, they would never have imagined that all those animals could have vanished, hundreds of millions years ago. The thought of sudden, arbitrary disappearance from life was unnerving and forced the Victorians to rethink everything they knew about the world. Now, in Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party, celebrated storyteller and historian Edward Dolnick leads us through a compelling true adventure as the paleontologists of the first half of the 19th century puzzled their way through the fossil record to create the story of dinosaurs we know today. The tale begins with Mary Anning, a poor, uneducated woman who had a sixth sense for finding fossils buried deep inside cliffs; and moves to a brilliant, eccentric geologist named William Buckland, a kind of Doctor Doolittle on a mission to eat his way through the entire animal kingdom; and then on to Richard Owen, the most respected and the most despised scientist of his generation. Entertaining, erudite, and featuring an unconventional cast of characters, Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party tells the story of how the accidental discovery of prehistoric creatures upended humanity's understanding of the world and their place in it, and how a group of paleontologists worked to bring it back into focus again.
About the Author
Edward Dolnick is the author of Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party, The Writing of the Gods, The Clockwork Universe, The Forger's Spell, and the Edgar Award-winning The Rescue Artist, among other books. A former chief science writer at The Boston Globe, he has written for The Atlantic, The New York Times Magazine, and many other publications. He lives with his wife near Washington, DC.
Poptart AK47
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literature. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Roller Turtle
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Kazmii
The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Gbbledgoodk
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion.
Candy Butcher
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
General Finish
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine – it's my ultimate audio companion. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Red Pepper
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content.
B@d B0y
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Dallas Burn
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's design is user-centric. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
ZenaCake
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Teeder
Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
NecroBull
Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Miss Rum Punch
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Phoenix Sparrow
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Scratch
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is a game-changer. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts.
JesterZilla
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Despair
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Digital Goddess
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening.
Stacker of Wheat
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. 💼 Juggling tasks while exploring narratives – this app is my multitasking hero! 💻📖 The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
HolyCombo
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. 💼 Juggling tasks while exploring narratives – this app is my multitasking hero! 💻📖 ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience