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.
Pexxious
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life – it's a unique experience. 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Cumulo
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Feral Cookie
🎧 Navigating through narratives has never been simpler – this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. 📚💫 The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Sugar Domino
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
Wolf Tribune
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. 📖🔊 ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Sun Runner
🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊 Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Accidental Genius
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized. 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!
Skittle Mine
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles!
Scarlet Mary
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Wooden German
Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Clang Glyph
I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable.
Chapstick
📱 Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap – this app is my digital library card! 📚📱 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail.
Low Menace
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Frosty Squid
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
AlertXis
🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Chuckles
⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖
FearLeSS
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. 💼 Making work hours fly by with captivating stories – a true work-life balance! 💻📖 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
FrankenGrin
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. 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!
Runway Darling
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
Poppin Loot
This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures.
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