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.
Atlantic Rim
🚗 Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures – audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! 🚗📖 I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Jersey
This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Spooky Electric
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Miss Fix It
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable.
Kitchen
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. 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!
Chew Chew
I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. 📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊 Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Washer
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly.
Prof. Screw
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. 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.
King Bass
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. 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.
Zorkle Sporkle
This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Gunhawk
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Taz Ringer
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Devil Bread
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! 🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧 Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
Kimono Goddess
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it 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.
Omega Sub
Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Killer Curio
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. 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. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Pigeon Woman
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖 Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
Pistol Hydro
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible!
Ex0tic
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Oblivion
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate.
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