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. DuhitΓ‘r-. 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.
Senior Smurf
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
ThreadTraveler
ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
LuminaLore
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iβm in the story.
1st Degree
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey.
Prez Dog
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories.
Good-lookinβ
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. ππ« Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Most Wanted
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Pockets
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
RiddleRover
This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content.
Pepper Mouse
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Crumb Cake
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Osprey
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
The Beekeeper
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Pitfall
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
Danqqqqq
I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Plum Moon
π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Dream Killer
ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
PepperBurst
CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
PepperBurst
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. ππ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration β this app keeps me engaged on the road! ππ§
RealmRanger
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ
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