Book description
The enthralling story of how today's largest language family, spoken by nearly half the world's population, descended from one ancient dialect.Daughter. Duhitár-. Dustr. Dukte. Listen to these English, Sanskrit, Armenian and Lithuanian words, all meaning the same thing, and you hear echoes of one of history's most unlikely journeys. All four languages-along with hundreds of others, from French and Gaelic, to Persian and Polish-trace their origins to an ancient tongue spoken as the last ice age receded. This language, which we call Proto-Indo-European, was born between Europe and Asia and exploded out of its cradle, fragmenting as it spread east and west. Its last speaker died thousands of years ago, yet Proto-Indo-European lives on in its myriad linguistic offspring and in some of our best loved works of literature, including Dante's Inferno and the Rig Veda, The Lord of the Rings and the love poetry of Rumi. How did this happen?Acclaimed journalist Laura Spinney set out to answer that question, retracing the Indo-European odyssey across continents and millennia. With her we travel the length of the steppe, navigating the Caucasus, the silk roads and the Hindu Kush. We retrace the epic journeys of nomads and monks, warriors and kings – the ancient peoples who carried these languages far and wide. In the present, Spinney meets the scientists on a thrilling mission to retrieve the lost languages and their speakers: the linguists, archaeologists and geneticists who have reconstructed that ancient diaspora. What they have learned has profound implications for our modern world, because people and their languages are on the move again. Proto is a revelatory portrait of world history in its own words.
ThoughtTrailblazer
The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Murder Matter
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze.
Cool Iris
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Chapstick
🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon – this app is my relaxation buddy! 🏖️🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
WordWanderer
This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Lime
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is a triumph.
Pop Bee
💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences.
Combo Saw
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 Savoring audiobooks without fuss – this app's design is impressive. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖
Irish Dze
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Widow Curio
💃 Dancing through chores with audiobooks – this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! 🎶📚 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Friday Fox
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
Divine Bramble
I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. ⭐️ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! 🧹🏰 Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading.
Fiend Oblivion
is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Gingersnap Woman
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. 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!
Snow Pharaoh
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. 📖📱 Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Alley Cat
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Broomspun
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch.
Spooky Yellowjacket
🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠 ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom!
Rooster
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
Sly Bible
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literature. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
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