Book description
Wonderfully engaging, expansive and ambitious, Sound Tracks tells the history of our relationship with music in sixty detective stories, each focusing on the discovery of a musical instrument - or its fragments - in archaeological digs around the world. Taking us from the present day - finding a 100-year-old wax cylinder recording on a flea market - all the way back to the dawn of time - the thrilling discovery of a prehistoric flute - long-lost music is itself reconstructed as we enter the worlds of those who created it.We feel the delight of a child in Peru in 700 AD, playing with a water-filled pot designed to chirp like a bird; we appreciate the difficult task of a soldier sending signals by trumpet to the next watchtower on Hadrian's Wall; we can almost hear the sounds of the sixty-four bells buried in a tomb in China in the 5th century BC.Graeme Lawson takes us on a grand tour of the world's greatest musical discoveries, revealing that music is part of human DNA - not just in its role as pastime, entertainment or religious expression but also as a medium in which we commemorate our pasts, communicate with each other, and shape our identities, relationships and communities.Written with verve and passion and brimming with astonishing insights, Sound Tracks is an enthralling alternative history of humanity in which the silences of the past are filled with a wonderful treasure hoard of forgotten sounds and voices.
FlyGuardX
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
Buckshot
This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Demo
ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. I'm addicted to this app β it's like having a library in my pocket. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Woodland Beauty
π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options.
Leaf Assassin
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
Sleek Zelda
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Sugar Domino
Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Desert Haze
Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve found. The interface is clean and easy to use. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Street Jolly
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Tabasco Dracula
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars! A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Green Ghost
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
2nd Hand Joe
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
Dancing Madman
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ
Metal Lady
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams!
Steel Ginger
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption.
Domino
Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Delicious
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Raid Bucker
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
MicroStar
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ±
SunnySnap
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. π‘ This app has made my daily schedule more interesting β 'reading' on the go! π±πΆββοΈ Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
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