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.
Lady Q
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding.
Baby Spell
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. 🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. 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!
Murder Cherry
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Shay
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook.
SkyGod
This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. 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!
1st Degree
ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. 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!
AlertXis
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Black Walnut
Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Old Man Winter
ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Pecan Oblivion
🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨ 💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
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ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! 📱🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content.
Trash Sling
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. 📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze.
Brick Mooch
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy!
Star Jammer
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. 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!
Dallas Foxface
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Bootleg Taximan
I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration.
NoiseFire
This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning.
Flyswat Briggs
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Gold Dahlia
Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Black Mustard
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
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