Book description
"A bold, sweeping bird's eye view of thousands of years of history that provides a truly global perspective of the past. A fantastic achievement."--Peter Frankopan, internationally bestselling author of The Silk Roads Prize-winning historian Naoíse Mac Sweeney delivers a captivating exploration of how "Western Civilization"--the concept of a single cultural inheritance extending from ancient Greece to modern times--is a powerful figment of our collective imagination. An urgently needed emergent voice in big history, she offers a bold new account of Western history, real and imagined, through the lives of fourteen remarkable individuals. In this groundbreaking, story-driven retelling of Western history, Naoíse Mac Sweeney debunks the myths and origin stories that underpin the history we thought we knew. Told through fourteen figures who each played a role in the creation of the Western idea--from Herodotus, a mixed-race migrant, to Phylis Wheatley, an enslaved African American who became a literary sensation; and from Gladstone, with a private passion for epic poetry, to the medieval Arab scholar Al-Kindi--the subjects are a mind-expanding blend of unsung heroes and familiar faces viewed afresh. These characters span the millennia and the continents, representing different religions, varying levels of wealth and education, diverse traditions and nationalities. Each life tells us something unexpected about the age in which it was lived and offers us a piece of the puzzle of how the modern idea of the West developed--and why we've misunderstood it for too long. The concept of "the West" is present in every daily interaction you have, from entertainment and politics to world markets and world history. This engagingly intimate history will reshape the way you see the world around you. At this moment of civilizational redefinition, if we are to chart a future for the West, we must properly understand its past.
Metal Aphrodite
Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps.
Dandelion
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Saint La-Z-Boy
⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Bazooka Har-de-har
ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Heartbreaker
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. 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!
Cupid Dust
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. 🎉🎧
MuseMaster
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Mafia Rapunzel
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. 🏃♀️📚 Running with purpose – audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. 🏃♀️🎧 Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
Kawaii Red
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Cricket
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏 I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch.
NexusNinja
ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. 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!
WanderWord
Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys.
Ella of Light
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Mad Viral
ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
High Beam
With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Bit Sentinel
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature.
Firefly Caramel
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Stud Buster
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life – it's incredible. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. 🎧 Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. 📚📱 Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight.
Silver Rose
Audiobook adventures simplified – this app's functionality is a revelation. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Gumby Train
I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
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