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.)
Osprey
๐ช Doubling the impact of my workouts โ exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! ๐ช๐ง ๐ถ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls โ this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. ๐ต๐ CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Dr. Cocktail
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable โ this app's design is a triumph.
NeoGermal
ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Pigeon Woman
๐ฉโ๐ณ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales โ cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! ๐ณ๐ง The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. I love the ability to change the background color. Itโs a nice touch. 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.
Frosty
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightโnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Doz
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. ๐ฉโ๐ณ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! ๐ณ๐ง I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions.
Accidental Genius
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience โ it's like having a personal audio library. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Sleek Assassin
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed โ it's my form of meditation. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iโve 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!
Mad Viral
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Little General
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Prez Dog
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Breadmaker
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption โ a fantastic way to measure my progress. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature.
Dora the Destroyer
The app's design is sleek and modern โ it's a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design.
CloudFrenzy
This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Mrs. Voltage
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move โ it's like having a tutor by my side. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Ember Rope
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ๐๐ Reigniting my passion for books โ this app is my newfound reading obsession! ๐ฅ๐ง ListenBookโs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Gov Skull
I've never been this excited about my daily commute โ thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever.
QuestQuill
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need.
Prone
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Renegade Slugger
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere โ it's a reader's dream come true. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ๐๐ Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
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