Book description
An award-winning journalist's powerful portrait of his native Baghdad, the people of Iraq, and twenty years of war. "An essential insider account of the unravelling of Iraq...Driven by his intimate knowledge and deep personal stakes, Abdul-Ahad...offers an overdue reckoning with a broken history."--Declan Walsh, author of The Nine Lives of Pakistan: Dispatches from a Precarious State "A vital archive of a time and place in history...Impossible to put down."--Omar El Akkad, author of What Strange Paradise The history of reportage has often depended on outsiders--Ryszard Kapuลciลski witnessing the fall of the shah in Iran, Frances FitzGerald observing the aftermath of the American war in Vietnam. What would happen if a native son was so estranged from his city by war that he could, in essence, view it as an outsider? What kind of portrait of a war-wracked place and people might he present? A Stranger in Your Own City is award-winning writer Ghaith Abdul-Ahad's vivid, shattering response. This is not a book about Iraq's history or an inventory of the many Middle Eastern wars that have consumed the nation over the past several decades. This is the tale of a people who once lived under the rule of a megalomaniacal leader who shaped the state in his own image; a people who watched a foreign army invade, topple that leader, demolish the state, and then invent a new country; who experienced the horror of having their home fragmented into a hundred different cities. When the "Shock and Awe" campaign began in March 2003, Abdul-Ahad was an architect. Within months he would become a translator, then a fixer, then a reporter for The Guardian and elsewhere, chronicling the unbuilding of his centuries-old cosmopolitan city. Beginning at that moment and spanning twenty years, Abdul-Ahad's book decenters the West and in its place focuses on everyday people, soldiers, mercenaries, citizens blown sideways through life by the war, and the proliferation of sectarian battles that continue to this day. Here is their Iraq, seen from the inside: the human cost of violence, the shifting allegiances, the generational change. A Stranger in Your Own City is a rare work of beauty and tragedy whose power and relevance lie in its attempt to return the land to the people to whom it belongs.
Hemlock
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ๐ Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey โ thank you, this app! โจ๐ ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Experiencing stories while staying active โ this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. ๐ง๐๏ธ
Lightweight
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
High Heel Goddess
Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Snowflake Pixie
Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening.
MythMaker
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears.
Flint
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. ๐ This app is a testament to thoughtful design โ its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. ๐โจ The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
NemesisX
I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls โ it's a joy to navigate. ๐ก Making house chores more enjoyable โ audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. ๐ ๐ ๐ก Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine โ this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. ๐ฑ๐ Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ๐๐ง ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app!
Trash Sling
This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. ๐ Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ๐๐ ๐ Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. ๐งโจ ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ
Pearl Girl
๐ Say goodbye to boredom during long drives โ this app makes road trips fly by! ๐๐ ๐ผ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation โ audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. ๐ป๐ Audiobook multitasking made easy โ this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. 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.
Swing Setter
Effortless audiobook management โ this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
Morbid Angel
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. Audiobook multitasking made easy โ this app's functionality is top-notch. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience.
Jester
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! ๐๐ Road trips have never been this entertaining โ this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ๐๐ Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Atlantic Rim
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library.
Flotsams54
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life โ it's incredible. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
SunnySnap
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys โ this app's ease of use is a delight. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Star Jammer
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved!
Dorothy Solitaire
I can't get enough of this app โ it's a true game-changer for book lovers. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier โ this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. ๐ง๐๏ธ What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Morbid Sugar
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itโs a unique feature.
Cuff Queen
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
QuestQuill
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. Audiobooks made simple โ this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youโre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
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