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.
Firedog
Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
HighBomber
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine.
WanderWord
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Boost Princess
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session.
Thunder Tank
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed.
ELLerG!c
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Firefly Caramel
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
ByteBard
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats – this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. 🎉🔊 I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers.
Sleek Assassin
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Cereal Killer
Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. 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!
Dr. WMD
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Joker's Grin
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Sienna Princess
ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities.
Joker's Grin
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! ⭐️ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures – this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! 👚🎧 ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading.
Y0dler
🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app.
Bae
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks – it's truly invigorating. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
AirportHobo XD
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. 🎉📚 Reigniting my passion for books – this app is my newfound reading obsession! 🔥🎧 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚 The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Scare Stone
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze.
Suicide Jockey
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Tough Nut
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. 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. 📖📱 The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities.
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