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.
Moon Cricket
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. 🏝️🎧 Packing for vacation just got better – this app is my getaway entertainment! 🌴📖 I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
Unleashed
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚
Pixie
Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Gunhawk
This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. 🎶📚 My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. 🎧🎶
Miss Twilight
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
DreamWeaver
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Digital Moonshine
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Roller Girl
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Lope Lope
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Heartbreaker
🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥 🚶♀️🌌 This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure – I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. 🏞️📖 Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. 📚✨ The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience.
Wiccan Trouble
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient.
Lumberyard
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
Crumb Cake
Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Chew Chew
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Disco Potato
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. Audiobook excellence simplified – this app's functionality is a true delight.
Rusty Vortex
💼 Workday blues? Not anymore – this app turns my office hours into reading time! 💻📖 👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧
Tokyo Dream
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Force
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. 🏝️🎧 Packing for vacation just got better – this app is my getaway entertainment! 🌴📖 📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️ ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use.
Trick Baron
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Stealth
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
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