Book description
A finalist for the 2023 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award "[A] glorious guide to the miracle of life's sound." --The New York Times Book Review A lyrical exploration of the diverse sounds of our planet, the creative processes that produced these marvels, and the perils that sonic diversity now faces We live on a planet alive with song, music, and speech. David Haskell explores how these wonders came to be. In rain forests shimmering with insect sound and swamps pulsing with frog calls we learn about evolution's creative powers. From birds in the Rocky Mountains and on the streets of Paris, we discover how animals learn their songs and adapt to new environments. Below the waves, we hear our kinship to beings as different as snapping shrimp, toadfish, and whales. In the startlingly divergent sonic vibes of the animals of different continents, we experience the legacies of plate tectonics, the deep history of animal groups and their movements around the world, and the quirks of aesthetic evolution. Starting with the origins of animal song and traversing the whole arc of Earth history, Haskell illuminates and celebrates the emergence of the varied sounds of our world. In mammoth ivory flutes from Paleolithic caves, violins in modern concert halls, and electronic music in earbuds, we learn that human music and language belong within this story of ecology and evolution. Yet we are also destroyers, now silencing or smothering many of the sounds of the living Earth. Haskell takes us to threatened forests, noise-filled oceans, and loud city streets, and shows that sonic crises are not mere losses of sensory ornament. Sound is a generative force, and so the erasure of sonic diversity makes the world less creative, just, and beautiful. The appreciation of the beauty and brokenness of sound is therefore an important guide in today's convulsions and crises of change and inequity. Sounds Wild and Broken is an invitation to listen, wonder, belong, and act.
Spooky Electric
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly.
Sun Leo
Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Fl00d
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
McDreamy
π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Club Nola
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Widow Curio
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward β thank you, app! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
Gunhawk
Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Nessie
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
ByteBard
This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers.
Demo Tequila
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising β thanks to this app! πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Blood Taker
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
Club Nola
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Steel Ginger
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
QuantumQuill
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
Shady Prairie
This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Badger the Burglar
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. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening.
Danqqqqq
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Sultan of Speed
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Granola Dove
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
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