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.)
Journeyman
This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Friday Fox
Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Electric Player
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Manly
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Gullyway
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Kamikaze Granny
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Twix Esses
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available – there's something for everyone. I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before.
Bleach
With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
Snow Cream
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
DreamDiver
ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. 🎧 Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app – pure listening pleasure! 📚🔥
Scrapple
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives.
ByteBard
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Z-Boy
I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. 📚💫 ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Contrary Mary
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Judge
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant companion for literary adventures. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱 Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Elektrik
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. 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.
Mr. Spy
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library.
East Army
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Succubus In Training
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. 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!
Automatic Slicer
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
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