Book description
Basra and Back follows Salamanca Company, a unit of British infantry deployed to Iraq as part of the peacekeeping effort after the 2003 invasion, known as Operation TELIC.Drawn from units in southwest England, Salamanca Company wasted no time in assuming its duties, providing security to the coalition's provisional government and navigating the tense, dusty streets of Basra City. Insurgents had infiltrated the city, sowing discord among the population already grappling with shortages of essential resources like food, water, fuel, and electricity. The soldiers understood the gravity of the situation and braced themselves for civil unrest and worse, knowing their deployment would lead them into even more dangerous territory. For six months in 2004, the officers and men of The Rifle Volunteers found themselves as reservists on the frontline. Now that the war had been won, it was time to win the peace.Told through the eyes of Matthew Okuhara, a young soldier called into regular service, Basra and Back gives a true and overlooked account of the UK's military reserve at war. Narrated with an abstract sense of humour, Matthew is initially out of place but eventually discovers his role as the unit medic within '3 Platoon'. The book also covers the military history of reserve soldiers during the War on Terror, with the deployment of so many volunteers marking a historic moment for the British Army, as was the first time in nearly half a century that a formed unit of reservists is deployed in a ground holding role since the Suez Crisis: an experiment that created a strategy that continued in military deployments for years to come.
TrinitySoul
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience.
Spooky Yellowjacket
I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. 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!
Raid Bucker
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Alley Cat
ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Sweet Manhattan
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
Nibbler
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Vagabond Warrior
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. Audiobooks made delightful – this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Darkside Orbit
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Guillotine Trigger
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move – it's like having a tutor by my side. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. 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.
Bitmap
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Force
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights – I'm never without a good story. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨
Acid Queen
This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! 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. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Mad Rascal
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. 🏝️ Basking in the sun with an audiobook – relaxation meets storytelling paradise! ☀️📖 The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. 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.
Bit Sentinel
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Mustard Centaur
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Pexxious
This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. 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.
Spit Turanga
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. 🚶♀️🌌 This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure – I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. 🏞️📖 Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
Valley Guardian
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience.
Ba1t
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌
FearLeSS
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. I’m 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! 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!
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