Book description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A "thrilling and superbly crafted" (The Wall Street Journal) account of the most momentous voyage of the Age of Exploration, which culminated in Captain James Cook's death in Hawaii, and left a complex and controversial legacy still debated to this day.A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: THE NEW YORK TIMES, TIME, THE ECONOMIST, NPR, THE NEW YORKER, THE SMITHSONIAN, AND KIRKUS REVIEWS"In this masterly history, Sides tracks the 18th-century English naval officer James Cook's third and final voyage across the globe, painting a vivid and propulsive portrait."-The New York Times Book ReviewOn July 12th, 1776, Captain James Cook, already lionized as the greatest explorer in British history, set off on his third voyage in his ship the HMS Resolution. Two-and-a-half years later, on a beach on the island of Hawaii, Cook was killed in a conflict with native Hawaiians. How did Cook, who was unique among captains for his respect for Indigenous peoples and cultures, come to that fatal moment?Hampton Sides' bravura account of Cook's last journey both wrestles with Cook's legacy and provides a thrilling narrative of the titanic efforts and continual danger that characterized exploration in the 1700s. Cook was renowned for his peerless seamanship, his humane leadership, and his dedication to science. On previous expeditions, Cook mapped huge swaths of the Pacific, including the east coast of Australia, and initiated first European contact with numerous peoples. He treated his crew well and endeavored to learn about the societies he encountered with curiosity and without judgment.Yet something was different on this last voyage. Cook became mercurial, resorting to the lash to enforce discipline, and led his two vessels into danger time and again. Uncharacteristically, he ordered violent retaliation for perceived theft on the part of native peoples. This may have had something to do with his secret orders, which were to chart and claim lands before Britain's imperial rivals could, and to discover the fabled Northwest Passage. Whatever Cook's intentions, his scientific efforts were the sharp edge of the colonial sword, and the ultimate effects of first contact were catastrophic for Indigenous people around the world. The tensions between Cook's overt and covert missions came to a head on the shores of Hawaii. His first landing there was harmonious, but when Cook returned after mapping the coast of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, his exploitative treatment of the Hawaiians led to the fatal encounter.At once a ferociously-paced story of adventure on the high seas and a searching examination of the complexities and consequences of the Age of Exploration, THE WIDE WIDE SEA is a major work from one of our finest narrative nonfiction writers.
Lady Pomegranate
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. 🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 🎙️ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! 🚶♀️📖 Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings.
Chew Chew
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
ShadowDancer
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Engine Eye
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Marshmallow
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
VisionVoyager
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration.
Silver Rose
Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
New Cycle
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Station WMD
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. 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. 📚🔊 ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
ThoughtTraveler
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Demo Zero
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. 🚗 Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! 🚗📚 Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
East Army
The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Blistered Outlaw
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. 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. 📚✨ I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
Dove Dolce
📱 No more lugging around heavy books – this app brings the library to my phone! 📚📱 Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
DeathDancer
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚
Guillotine
💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 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. 📚✨ Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver!
Magenta
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Blood Taker
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Admiral Tot
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze.
Racy Babe
AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
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