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.
NexusNomad
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is a true gift. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is remarkable. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. 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!
MysticMingle
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine.
Sweet Bacon
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Mallow Man
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. 📱📖 ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration.
Black Firefly
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧
Girl Brownie
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Marine Dre
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
WanderWord
ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs.
Nickname Master
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. 🌟 Adding excitement to each day – this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. 📚🚀 ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
MysticMingle
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
RedMouth
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. 📚✨ I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. 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!
Bootleg Taximan
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Pinball Esq
⭐️ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! 🧹🏰 Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience.
Sass Burst
🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
Capital F
The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Jersey
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
Romance Princess
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Miss Lucky
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Dez North
The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
ThermalMode
Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature!
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