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.
Roller Turtle
π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience.
Black Fantastic
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph.
Pockets
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. 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§ This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Twix Esses
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Dove Dolce
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's design is user-centric. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly.
Koi Diva
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
RedFeet
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Bombay Shivers
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
360
ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Fennel Dove
πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories β this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. π±π§ The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Ladysmith
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Danger Menace
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Milan Call Back
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Saturn Extreme
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
Rummy Stickers
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. 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!
Voodoo Queen
ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Twix Esses
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯ The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
Romance Guppy
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Y0dler
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
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