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.
Digger
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Blinker
With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧 Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Leaf Assassin
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. 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!
Poppy Coffee
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Helmet Destroyer
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. Finally, an app that values usability – navigating and listening is a breeze! The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
CirrusFlash
From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊 The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Loot
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem!
Daisy Stick
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨
Sky Trinity
I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories.
Prof. Smirk
ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. 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!
Switch
I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Speedwell
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. 🎉 The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. 📱🎧 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.
Tall Honey
With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. 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.
Little General
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. User-friendly audiobook experience – this app's design is a standout.
Spunky Comet
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. 🎧 Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app – pure listening pleasure! 📚🔥 Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use.
WeldMaster
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Goatee Shield
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Little Drunk Girl
🌟 Adding excitement to each day – this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. 📚🚀 🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Wooden German
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Feral Cookie
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration.
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