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.
Light Despair
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Con Mammoth
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Pink Stream
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Roller Girl
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Apple Nola
🚶♀️🌌 This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure – I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. 🏞️📖 Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
Blue Despair
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Mr. Gadget
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Troubled Pie
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Armed Hawk
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. 👀📚 Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier – this app's soothing voices 😴🎧 Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Lady Peach
⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Squatch
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. 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!
NexusNomad
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. 📱🔊 Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend!
Drift
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
CuriousCrafter
💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Tse Tse Guy
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Athens Fire
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. 💡 Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks – this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. 📱📖 From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Cinder Coffee
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. 💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖 Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Sneaky Lady
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me.
Hightower
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. 🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Pinup Diva
This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
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