Book description
From the bestselling author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist Empire of the Summer Moon comes a stunning historical tale of the rise and fall of the world's largest airship--and the doomed love story between an ambitious British officer and a married Romanian Princess at its heart. The tragic story of the British airship R101--which went down in a spectacular hydrogen-fueled fireball in 1930, killing more people than died in the Hindenburg disaster seven years later--has been largely forgotten. In His Majesty's Airship, historian S.C. Gwynne resurrects it in vivid detail, telling the epic story of great ambition gone terribly wrong. Airships, those airborne leviathans that occupied center stage in the world in the first half of the twentieth century, were a symbol of the future. R101 was not just the largest aircraft ever to have flown and the product of the world's most advanced engineering--she was also the lynchpin of an imperial British scheme to link by air the far-flung areas of its empire from Australia to India, South Africa, Canada, Egypt, and Singapore. No one had ever conceived of anything like this. R101 captivated the world. There was just one problem: beyond the hype and technological wonders, these big, steel-framed, hydrogen-filled airships were a dangerously bad idea. Gwynne's chronicle features a cast of remarkable--and often tragically flawed--characters, including Lord Christopher Thomson, the man who dreamed up the Imperial Airship Scheme and then relentlessly pushed R101 to her destruction; Princess Marthe Bibesco, the celebrated writer and glamorous socialite with whom he had a long affair; and Herbert Scott, a national hero who had made the first double crossing of the Atlantic in any aircraft in 1919--eight years before Lindbergh's famous flight--but who devolved into drink and ruin. These historical figures--and the ship they built, flew, and crashed--come together in a grand tale that details the rocky road to commercial aviation written by one of the best popular historians writing today.
NexusNavigator
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
BlacKitten
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise.
NoiseFire
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Digger
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§
Intimidation Station
CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Berry Succubus
ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Digger
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
RZRWRE
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBookβs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience. 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.
Jetta Talent
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver.
Firefly
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ
Pyscho Hun
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Teeder
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Acid Gosling
Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Wrangler Jim
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues!
JigKraken
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve found. The interface is clean and easy to use. 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.
Admiral Tot
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
The Shield Toronto
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π
DARK HQ
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
Magenta
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Hella Fella
π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
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