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.
Lady Pomegranate
ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Feline Devil
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use.
LuminaLore
The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go. 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.
EchoEmissary
Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. 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.
Sir Shove
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise.
Moxie
Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§ The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Stud muffin
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. Iβm 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!
Darth 44
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Silver Rose
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook!
Twiddle Twix
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive.
Night Train
ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. One of the best audiobooks Iβve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorβs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Eye Candy Kitten
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π
Bourbon Mirage
ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Screwtape
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Eerie
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Dropkick
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
X-Dew
I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
Barbera Shift
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
RetroMirage
I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives.
Mental
πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. 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.
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