Book description
The surprising and illuminating look at how Tolkien's love of science and natural history shaped the creation of his Middle Earth, from its flora and fauna to its landscapes.The world J.R.R. Tolkien created is one of the most beloved in all of literature, and continues to capture hearts and imaginations around the world. From Oxford to ComiCon, the Middle Earth is analyzed and interpreted through a multitude of perspectives. But one essential facet of Tolkien and his Middle Earth has been overlooked: science. This great writer, creator of worlds and unforgettable character, and inventor of language was also a scientific autodidact, with an innate interest and grasp of botany, paleontologist and geologist, with additional passions for archeology and chemistry. Tolkien was an acute observer of flora and fauna and mined the minds of his scientific friends about ocean currents and volcanoes. It is these layers science that give his imaginary universe—and the creatures and characters that inhabit it—such concreteness. Within this gorgeously illustrated edition, a range of scientists—from astrophysicists to physicians, botanists to volcanologists—explore Tolkien’s novels, poems, and letters to reveal their fascinating scientific roots. A rewarding combination of literary exploration and scientific discovery, The Science of Middle-earth reveals the hidden meaning of the Ring’s corruption, why Hobbits have big feet, the origins of the Dwarves, the animals which inspired the dragons, and even whether or not an Ent is possible. Enhanced by superb original drawings, this transportive work will delight both Tolkien fans and science lovers and inspire us to view both Middle Earth—and our own world—with fresh eyes.
Delicious Wing
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Valley Guardian
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze.
PixelPioneer
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Daffy Girl
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. 🎧 This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! 📚🍳
Sly Silvermoon
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Babe
This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Prof. Screw
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback.
Tokyo Dream
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Diamond Gamer
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier – this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. 📱🎧 I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books.
Spicy Thunder
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. 🌌🎧 Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨
Guillotine
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly.
ByteBard
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
Maple Destroyer
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Trash Master
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Kill Switch
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls.
Slinger
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Koi Diva
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. 🎶📚 Setting the mood with stories instead of songs – this app is my go-to playlist! 🎧🌟 Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Twix Esses
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Backstreet
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. 🏃♀️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – audiobooks make my runs more exciting! 🏃♀️🎧
DARK HQ
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
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