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 β 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 Katniss
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Pepper Mouse
Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition.
Grave Scuttlebutt
Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ππ Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π
Sloth
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is remarkable.
Kawaii Red
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist!
Mother Night
Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Whip Chu
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘
WanderWord
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Baked ZD
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
Mr. Fabulous
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort.
Energy
With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
CyberScribe
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ
Voodoo Cyclone
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars! 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.
Po1son
π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have!
Nacho
I'm hooked on this app β it's like Netflix for book lovers! This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! 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! π±π§ ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Onion King
I'm hooked on this app β it's like Netflix for book lovers! Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Cali Yacht
π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
DreamDiver
The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. 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.
MysticMingle
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Twisty Dew
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
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