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.
Voodoo Cyclone
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ 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.
Sprinkle Lovenuts
I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ
Geneva Cuffs
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Preach Man
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus!
Y0dler
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Wanted Candy
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Prez Dog
ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Y0dler
π± An entire library at my fingertips β this app is a book lover's dream come true! ππ ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Old Man Winter
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Blue Despair
ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Athens Fire
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app! Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Mr. Alien
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic.
Tangerine
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Lady Fantastic
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Slug-em-dog
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Polar Bee
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey.
Trip
I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Leaf Assassin
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
The Dude
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ
Gold Dahlia
ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
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