Book description
"Who hasn't stayed up late reading South Sea tales? Christina Thompson's Sea People is a South Sea tale to top them all."--Richard Rhodes, author of Energy: A Human History and the Pulitzer Prize winning The Making of the Atomic Bomb"Magnificent. . . . A grand, symphonic, beautifully written book. . . . Sea People is an archive-researched historical account that has the page-turning qualities of an all-absorbing mystery."--Boston GlobeA blend of Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel and Simon Winchester's Pacific, a thrilling intellectual detective story that looks deep into the past to uncover who first settled the islands of the remote Pacific, where they came from, how they got there, and how we know. For more than a millennium, Polynesians have occupied the remotest islands in the Pacific Ocean, a vast triangle stretching from Hawaii to New Zealand to Easter Island. Until the arrival of European explorers they were the only people to have ever lived there. Both the most closely related and the most widely dispersed people in the world before the era of mass migration, Polynesians can trace their roots to a group of epic voyagers who ventured out into the unknown in one of the greatest adventures in human history.How did the earliest Polynesians find and colonize these far-flung islands? How did a people without writing or metal tools conquer the largest ocean in the world? This conundrum, which came to be known as the Problem of Polynesian Origins, emerged in the eighteenth century as one of the great geographical mysteries of mankind.For Christina Thompson, this mystery is personal: her Maori husband and their sons descend directly from these ancient navigators. In Sea People, Thompson explores the fascinating story of these ancestors, as well as those of the many sailors, linguists, archaeologists, folklorists, biologists, and geographers who have puzzled over this history for three hundred years. A masterful mix of history, geography, anthropology, and the science of navigation, Sea People combines the thrill of exploration with the drama of discovery in a vivid tour of one of the most captivating regions in the world.Sea People includes an 8-page photo insert, illustrations throughout, and 2 endpaper maps.
Delicious Cupid
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. π§ Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. ππ± Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ Iβm 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!
Pink C
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. 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!
Midnight Bat
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨
Phoenix Sparrow
ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
White Swan
I'm addicted to this app β it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Die Slice
I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! 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.
Clang Glyph
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Crumb Cake
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable.
Prof. Smirk
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven.
QuestQuill
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Show Boat
Audiobook excellence made simple β this app's functionality is a true asset. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Metal Star
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Mr. Thanksgiving
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Innocent Ghost
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Devil Bread
π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
Whistler
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it!
FireBerry
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process β I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Twisty Dew
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading.
ThoughtTrail
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. πͺ Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier β this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. πΌπ Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Spit Turanga
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
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