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 Ari Shavit draws on interviews, historical documents, private diaries, and letters, as well as his own family's story, illuminating the pivotal moments of the Zionist century to tell a riveting narrative that is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
Blue Despair
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FlyGuardX
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Petite Beauty
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
King Bass
ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment.
Crash Test
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease.
Hightower
Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Indestructible Potato
Audiobook immersion without fuss β this app's ease of use is commendable. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§ ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
NecroBull
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. 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. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Little Drunk Girl
This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
FearLeSS
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content.
Swedish Pixie
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Amphibi-Dangerous
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend! Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Pinball Esq
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. 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 ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly.
VPR
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Uncle Buddy
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch.
Spooky Yellowjacket
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
InsightfulInk
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics.
Mother Night
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Princess Dove
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
TeederSmartie
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
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