Book description
'The writing is sublime, the research thorough, the eye for story superb' Sunday TelegraphWhen Amitav Ghosh began the research for his monumental cycle of novels the Ibis Trilogy, he was startled to find how the lives of the 19th century sailors and soldiers he wrote of were dictated not only by the currents of the Indian Ocean, but also by the precious commodity carried in enormous quantities on those currents: opium. Most surprising at all, however, was the discovery that his own identity and family history was swept up in the story.βSmoke and Ashes is at once a travelogue, memoir and a history, drawing on decades of archival research. In it, Ghosh traces the transformative effect the opium trade had on Britain, India, and China, as well as the world at large. The trade was engineered by the British Empire, which exported Indian opium to sell to China and redress their great trade imbalance, and its revenues were essential to the Empire's financial survival. Yet tracing the profits further, Ghosh finds opium at the origins of some of the world's biggest corporations, of America's most powerful families and prestigious institutions (from the Astors and Coolidges to the Ivy League), and of contemporary globalism itself.Moving deftly between horticultural histories, the mythologies of capitalism, and the social and cultural repercussions of colonialism, in βSmoke and Ashes Amitav Ghosh reveals the role that one small plant had in making our world, now teetering on the edge of catastrophe.
Dancing Madman
ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Cool Law Topping
Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience.
High Kingdom Warrior
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
The Howling Swede
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. 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.
Call Back Queen
I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Z-Boy
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§
Nola
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ 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!
Onion King
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is a true winner. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
ThoughtTraveler
Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is a triumph. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Dark Matter
π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
White Snare
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Iron Butterfly
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ
Queen Ginger
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience.
CuriousCoder
I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Psycho Thinker
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
NexusNinja
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable.
RiddleRover
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations β it's like the app knows me! Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Wild Kitten
Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Foot-long Fry
I can't imagine my life without this app β it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
Mammoth 2
ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy.
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