Book description
Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2024 by Foreign Policy, Literary Hub, and The Millions Ghosh unravels the impact of the opium trade on global history and in his own family―the climax of a yearslong project.When Amitav Ghosh began the research for his monumental cycle of novels the Ibis Trilogy, he was startled to learn how the lives of the nineteenth-century sailors and soldiers he wrote about 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 of all, however, was the discovery that his own identity and family history were swept up in the story. Smoke and Ashes is at once a travelogue, a memoir, and an essay in 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 to redress their great trade imbalance, and its revenues were essential to the empire's financial survival. Following the profits further, Ghosh finds opium central to 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 history, the mythologies of capitalism, and the social and cultural repercussions of colonialism, in Smoke and Ashes Ghosh reveals the role that one small plant has had in making our world, now teetering on the edge of catastrophe.
About the Author
Amitav Ghosh is the author of the bestselling Ibis Trilogy, composed of Sea of Poppies (shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize), River of Smoke, and Flood of Fire. His other novels include The Circle of Reason, which won the Prix Médicis étranger, and The Glass Palace. He is the author of many works of nonfiction, including The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable and The Nutmeg's Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis. He has received two lifetime achievement awards and five honorary doctorates. In 2018, Ghosh became the first English-language writer to win the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Lope Lope
🌟 Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories – thank you, this app! 👚📖 Audiobooks made simple – this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Good-lookin’
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion.
New York Winder
CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Cuff Queen
📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Toy Town
No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
NoiseFire
This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. 📱 No more lugging around heavy books – this app brings the library to my phone! 📚📱 Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖 ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
MysticMingle
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Frenzy
🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used.
Trip
Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Purity
No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱 Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
The Beekeeper
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment.
Mauve Cactus
Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. 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.
RiddleRover
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
FireBrang
🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 💃 Dancing through chores with audiobooks – this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! 🎶📚 Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. 🎧📱
True Sweetness
ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Trixie
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Aqua Diva
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. 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. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Fire Feline
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Geneva Cuffs
🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥 🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Super Flick
🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
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