Book description
A New York Times Notable Book of 2020 "[A] sweeping and authoritative history" (The New York Times Book Review), Black Wave is an unprecedented and ambitious examination of how the modern Middle East unraveled and why it started with the pivotal year of 1979. Kim Ghattas seamlessly weaves together history, geopolitics, and culture to deliver a gripping read of the largely unexplored story of the rivalry between between Saudi Arabia and Iran, born from the sparks of the 1979 Iranian revolution and fueled by American policy. With vivid story-telling, extensive historical research and on-the-ground reporting, Ghattas dispels accepted truths about a region she calls home. She explores how Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran, once allies and twin pillars of US strategy in the region, became mortal enemies after 1979. She shows how they used and distorted religion in a competition that went well beyond geopolitics. Feeding intolerance, suppressing cultural expression, and encouraging sectarian violence from Egypt to Pakistan, the war for cultural supremacy led to Iran's fatwa against author Salman Rushdie, the assassination of countless intellectuals, the birth of groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, the September 11th terrorist attacks, and the rise of ISIS.Ghattas introduces us to a riveting cast of characters whose lives were upended by the geopolitical drama over four decades: from the Pakistani television anchor who defied her country's dictator, to the Egyptian novelist thrown in jail for indecent writings all the way to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. Black Wave is both an intimate and sweeping history of the region and will significantly alter perceptions of the Middle East.
MythMaker
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
QuestWeaver
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Helmet Destroyer
The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Tan Stallion
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends – and they all love it! ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨ I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in!
RiddleRover
This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls.
Ginger Chaos
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! I’ve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
SWAT Honey
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Twinkle Cutlass
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Nessie Pork
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
Shay
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Tootsie Killer
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. 📱 An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts – it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! 📚💡 The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Twinkle Cutlass
I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition!
Babe
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗
Pyscho Hun
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Mt. Indiana
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise.
LunaStar
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. 🎉 The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. 📱🎧
Mr. Lucky
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique.
Little Cobra
I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Con Mammoth
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Digital Moonshine
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. 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.
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