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.
PixelPioneer
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Orange Teflon
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
SubWoof330
Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Hitch Frenzy
No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Combo Saw
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. 🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚 Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
TeederSmartie
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Kickstart
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem!
Cosmic Presence
The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Breadmaker
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Criss Cross
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
Marshmallow
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius.
NexusNomad
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
FireBerry
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have!
Cumulo
Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Knight Light
ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Dallas Foxface
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. 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. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Kill Switch
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
VPR
I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Bazooka Har-de-har
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Venom Petunia
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! 📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️
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