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.)
Tornado Maker
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ
Greek Rifle
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
RealmRanger
This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§
Toe
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips.
Genghis Glyph
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ππ
Blinker
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Black Fantastic
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Twisty Dew
Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
Hex Panther
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Necromancer
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. 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!
Voluntary
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Risen
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver!
Scrapple
π± My secret to staying well-read β this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! ππ± Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's design is user-centric.
Take Away
With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys.
Scooby Did
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π
Widow Curio
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
Jelly Momentum
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Hyper Kong
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Star Killer
π©βπ³ Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories β this app adds flavor to my meals! π³π§ Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Darkside Orbit
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. π±π§ I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
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