Book description
A major reimagining of how evolutionary forces work, revealing how mating preferences--what Darwin termed "the taste for the beautiful"--create the extraordinary range of ornament in the animal world. "A delicious read, both seductive and mutinous.... Minutely detailed, exquisitely observant, deeply informed, and often tenderly sensual."--New York Times Book Review In the great halls of science, dogma holds that Darwin's theory of natural selection explains every branch on the tree of life: which species thrive, which wither away to extinction, and what features each evolves. But can adaptation by natural selection really account for everything we see in nature? Yale University ornithologist Richard Prum--reviving Darwin's own views--thinks not. Deep in tropical jungles around the world are birds with a dizzying array of appearances and mating displays: Club-winged Manakins who sing with their wings, Great Argus Pheasants who dazzle prospective mates with a four-foot-wide cone of feathers covered in golden 3D spheres, Red-capped Manakins who moonwalk. In thirty years of fieldwork, Prum has seen numerous display traits that seem disconnected from, if not outright contrary to, selection for individual survival. To explain this, he dusts off Darwin's long-neglected theory of sexual selection in which the act of choosing a mate for purely aesthetic reasons--for the mere pleasure of it--is an independent engine of evolutionary change. Mate choice can drive ornamental traits from the constraints of adaptive evolution, allowing them to grow ever more elaborate. It also sets the stakes for sexual conflict, in which the sexual autonomy of the female evolves in response to male sexual control. Most crucially, this framework provides important insights into the evolution of human sexuality, particularly the ways in which female preferences have changed male bodies, and even maleness itself, through evolutionary time. The Evolution of Beauty presents a unique scientific vision for how nature's splendor contributes to a more complete understanding of evolution and of ourselves.
Noise Toy
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
Maple Destroyer
π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Twine X
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. 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§ Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
SereneScribe
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Queen Ginger
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Dorothy Solitaire
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets!
Knuckles
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! π§ Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs β this app has it all! ππΌ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Saber-RED
π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! 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.
InsightfulInk
The narrator's voices are so soothing β a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Bones
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π
Wild Tesla
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats β it's a true lifesaver. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Arsenic Coo
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. 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!
Athena Star
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable!
Delicious
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true β from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy.
Wildcat Talent
With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Junkyard Dog
π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Koi Diva
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
Freesia
Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit! This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Sherm
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§
Highlander Monk
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
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