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.)
Romance Guppy
This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
K-Tin Man
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Easy Street
This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
Bad Bond
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Pecan Oblivion
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. πΆββοΈπ§ Walking has never been this productive β exploring new worlds while I exercise! ποΈπ« The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Pexxious
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer.
Sugar Man
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend! 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.
Toy Dogwatch
ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
Tse Tse Guy
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly.
RetroMirage
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. 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!
StorySculptor
This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. π Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner β this app adds flavor to every meal! π²π Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. ππ§ ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
Cooger
This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Daisy Stick
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Apple Nola
With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone.
High Heel Goddess
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
RedMouth
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Storm Master
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true.
Gov Skull
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Eerie
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
Venom Charms
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. π₯ Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger β this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. π±π
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