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 Ari Shavit draws on interviews, historical documents, private diaries, and letters, as well as his own family's story, illuminating the pivotal moments of the Zionist century to tell a riveting narrative that is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
Cougar Fuzz
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Betty Cricket
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Babe
Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Screwtape
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All Natural
Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. 🌌🎧 ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Kamikaze Grandma
Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Bug Blitz
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. 🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨ A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Fist Wizard
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! ListenBook has given me the gift of time – turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Tomcat
The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
SunnySnap
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Screwtape
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Black Firefly
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! 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.
Kimono Goddess
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Cinder Coffee
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out.
Snapdragon
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
The Belgian
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GoldTouch
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
Osprey
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Mule Skinner
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱
Sky
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. 📚 The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. 📱📖 This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
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