Book description
Forget Marvel. This is the REAL superhero origin story, and it's delivered with the energy of a historian who's way too excited about ancient wars. Tom Holland's Persian Fire isn't just a history book-it's the audiobook you'll play while folding laundry, because you'll be too busy laughing at Persia's sheer, glittering arrogance. Picture this: 5th-century BC Persia, a global superpower drowning in gold and delusions of grandeur, deciding Athens and Sparta-two scrappy, mountainous, "terrorist states" (Holland's words, not mine)-needed to be fixed. Because apparently, "herding goats in a rocky hillside" wasn't a valid civilization.
Holland's voice? Pure, unfiltered joy. He narrates like he's sharing a scandal over coffee, not lecturing about battles. You'll hear him chuckle at how the Persians tried to conquer Greece with a navy that got wrecked by a storm (turns out, even empires have bad weather days). The real magic? He makes you feel the underdogs' panic. Imagine being a Greek farmer, suddenly told your tiny village is the last hope against an army that could buy your entire town twice over. Holland doesn't just tell you about Marathon; he makes you hear the clank of armor, smell the fear, and wonder, "Wait, we were the underdogs?"
And the best part? It's not just ancient history. It's the original David vs. Goliath, but with way more drama and fewer superheroes. Holland's gift is making you see how these tiny Greek city-states-fearless, weird, and utterly unimpressed by Persian pomp-changed the world. You'll finish this audiobook convinced that "being a total weirdo" is the ultimate superpower. So grab your headphones, skip the Netflix, and let Holland's voice turn you into the person who actually knows why we still care about Persia vs. Greece. You'll be quoting it at parties. (And yes, the "terrorist states" line is definitely going on your next text chain.)
Crossing Guard
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
NexusNinja
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout. ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Star Scratch
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Copilot
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content β it's a real game-changer. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Fiend Oblivion
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MindfulMingle
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Nibbler
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. 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!
Pink Hopper
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. 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. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Mud Eye
ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Gold Bentley
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Paris Boost
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze.
Crash Override
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Scratch
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's an essential part of my day. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ 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.
Spitfire
I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
Mafia Princess
Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. 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
Instant Star
π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience.
Journeyman
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's an essential part of my day. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source.
Nightmare King
π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ 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
Chapstick
Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
CoB@lt
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files!
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