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.
Pixie Taze
The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer. 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. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Snow Cream
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Crossing Guard
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. 🎉 Unveiling the joy of reading once again – this app is my gateway to literary wonders! 📚🔓 Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Broomspun
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket.
Joker's Grin
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Domino
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Avenge Paws
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
Dandelion
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Tokyo Dream
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. 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. 🌌🎧 ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Devine Melon
ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance!
SprkR
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠 Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Energy
High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Darth 44
Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback.
Gingersnap Woman
🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Audiobook enjoyment redefined – this app's design focuses on the essentials. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel.
Rosie Bird
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Dance Bloom
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚 The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Yellow Menace
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's design is user-centric. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Danger Menace
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Onion King
Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! 📱🔊 A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Delirium
No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
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