Book description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW AND THE ECONOMIST Winner of the Natan Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, and the Anisfield-Wolf Book AwardAn authoritative and deeply personal narrative history of the State of Israel, by one of the most influential journalists writing about the Middle East today Not since Thomas L. Friedman's groundbreaking From Beirut to Jerusalem has a book captured the essence and the beating heart of the Middle East as keenly and dynamically as My Promised Land. Facing unprecedented internal and external pressures, Israel today is at a moment of existential crisis. Ari Shavit draws on interviews, historical documents, private diaries, and letters, as well as his own family's story, illuminating the pivotal moments of the Zionist century to tell a riveting narrative that is larger than the sum of its parts: both personal and national, both deeply human and of profound historical dimension. We meet Shavit's great-grandfather, a British Zionist who in 1897 visited the Holy Land on a Thomas Cook tour and understood that it was the way of the future for his people; the idealist young farmer who bought land from his Arab neighbor in the 1920s to grow the Jaffa oranges that would create Palestine's booming economy; the visionary youth group leader who, in the 1940s, transformed Masada from the neglected ruins of an extremist sect into a powerful symbol for Zionism; the Palestinian who as a young man in 1948 was driven with his family from his home during the expulsion from Lydda; the immigrant orphans of Europe's Holocaust, who took on menial work and focused on raising their children to become the leaders of the new state; the pragmatic engineer who was instrumental in developing Israel's nuclear program in the 1960s, in the only interview he ever gave; the zealous religious Zionists who started the settler movement in the 1970s; the dot-com entrepreneurs and young men and women behind Tel-Aviv's booming club scene; and today's architects of Israel's foreign policy with Iran, whose nuclear threat looms ominously over the tiny country. As it examines the complexities and contradictions of the Israeli condition, My Promised Land asks difficult but important questions: Why did Israel come to be? How did it come to be? Can Israel survive? Culminating with an analysis of the issues and threats that Israel is currently facing, My Promised Land uses the defining events of the past to shed new light on the present. The result is a landmark portrait of a small, vibrant country living on the edge, whose identity and presence play a crucial role in today's global political landscape. Praise for My Promised Land "This book will sweep you up in its narrative force and not let go of you until it is done. [Shavit's] accomplishment is so unlikely, so total . . . that it makes you believe anything is possible, even, God help us, peace in the Middle East."--Simon Schama, Financial Times "[A] must-read book."--Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times "Important and powerful . . . the least tendentious book about Israel I have ever read."--Leon Wieseltier, The New York Times Book Review "Spellbinding . . . Shavit's prophetic voice carries lessons that all sides need to hear."--The Economist "One of the most nuanced and challenging books written on Israel in years."--The Wall Street Journal
Freaky Ratbuster
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged.
PepperBurst
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§
Lucky Martian
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier β this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. π±π§ 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.
Star Jammer
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
Steel
π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Pepper Mouse
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play β it's genius! ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments.
Pink Stream
Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ππ± ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique.
Gbbledgoodk
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. I can't get enough of this app β it's a true game-changer for book lovers. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
CuriousCoder
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. πββοΈπ§ Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Sylvester Eye
Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Sexy
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Frosty Sunshine
π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content.
Prof. Smirk
I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
D-Hog-Day
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless.
Grave Scuttlebutt
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. 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.
FearLeSS
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Spitfire
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Dance Cannon
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy.
Miss Twilight
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy.
Metal Lady
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind β and this app is my partner in crime. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless 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