Book description
An Economist Best History Book 2017 "History as it should be written."--Barry Cunliffe, Guardian "Scott hits the nail squarely on the head by exposing the staggering price our ancestors paid for civilization and political order."--Walter Scheidel, Financial Times Why did humans abandon hunting and gathering for sedentary communities dependent on livestock and cereal grains, and governed by precursors of today's states? Most people believe that plant and animal domestication allowed humans, finally, to settle down and form agricultural villages, towns, and states, which made possible civilization, law, public order, and a presumably secure way of living. But archaeological and historical evidence challenges this narrative. The first agrarian states, says James C. Scott, were born of accumulations of domestications: first fire, then plants, livestock, subjects of the state, captives, and finally women in the patriarchal family--all of which can be viewed as a way of gaining control over reproduction. Scott explores why we avoided sedentism and plow agriculture, the advantages of mobile subsistence, the unforeseeable disease epidemics arising from crowding plants, animals, and grain, and why all early states are based on millets and cereal grains and unfree labor. He also discusses the "barbarians" who long evaded state control, as a way of understanding continuing tension between states and nonsubject peoples.
Stud
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations β they're spot on. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained.
Father Abbot
πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. ππ± Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer.
Twiddle Twix
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Chip Queen
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ± This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
ThickSKN
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Scratch Man
Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
ByteBard
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Fennel Dove
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. π Making every moment count β this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! ππ« Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. 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.
LunaStar
Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable. Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
Fuzzy Claws
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Evil Smith
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Lord Theus
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content.
Stacker of Wheat
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel.
Unseen
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Glyph
ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. 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.
AxelRoad
π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β audiobooks make my runs more exciting! πββοΈπ§ The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Spunky Comet
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey.
Eight Patrol
With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. 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.
Murder Matter
ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials.
Morbid Angel
Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
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