Book description
The remarkable (and occasionally ridiculous) stories of 48 nations that fell off the map. "Countries are just daft stories we tell each other. They're all equally implausible once you get up close." Countries die. Sometimes it's murder, sometimes it's by accident, and sometimes it's because they were so ludicrous they didn't deserve to exist in the first place. This is an atlas of 48 nations that fell off the map. Their causes of death range from the implausible (jerky prices) to the unfortunate (too evil) to the downright bizarre (the flip of a coin). The polite way of writing an obituary is: dwell on the good bits, gloss over the embarrassing stuff. This book refuses to do so, because these dead nations are so ridiculous that it's impossible to skip the embarrassing stuff. β
"This book is a sparkling gem."--Booklist (Starred Review) "Perfect for fans of Atlas Obscura."--Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Gideon Defoe is the author of The Pirates! book series and wrote the screenplay for the Oscar nominated Aardman film The Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists. He has written about how animals have sex and penned a computer game tie-in novel for Gollancz. He does film development work with Locksmith Animation and Studio Canal, and is developing a sitcom with BBC studios.
Pockets
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Blink
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done! No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. 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!
Wooden German
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Manly
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Delicious Cupid
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app.
Manimal
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Shady Prairie
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app.
Free Ham
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. 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. π±π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Knock Out Star
The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Po1son
As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books.
Kabuki
Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Jetta Talent
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight.
2nd Hand Joe
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§
California Goddess
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options.
Despair
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app.
3P-own
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Gothic Slacker
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks β it's truly invigorating. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Alley Cat
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is remarkable. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Chocolate Thunder
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers! 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.
Necessary Momentum
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± 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. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
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