Book description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - A magisterial world history unlike any other that tells the story of humanity through the one thing we all have in common: families - From the author of The Romanovs"Succession meets Game of Thrones." --The Spectator - "The author brings his cast of dynastic titans, rogues and psychopaths to life...An epic that both entertains and informs." --The Economist, Best Books of the Year Around 950,000 years ago, a family of five walked along the beach and left behind the oldest family footprints ever discovered. For award-winning historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, these poignant, familiar fossils serve as an inspiration for a new kind of world history, one that is genuinely global, spans all eras and all continents, and focuses on the family ties that connect every one of us. In this epic, ever-surprising book, Montefiore chronicles the world's great dynasties across human history through palace intrigues, love affairs, and family lives, linking grand themes of war, migration, plague, religion, and technology to the people at the heart of the human drama. It features a cast of extraordinary diversity: in addition to rulers and conquerors, there are priests, charlatans, artists, scientists, tycoons, gangsters, lovers, husbands, wives, and children. There is Hongwu, the beggar who founded the Ming dynasty; Ewuare, the Leopard-King of Benin; Henry Christophe, King of Haiti; Kamehameha, the conqueror of Hawaii; Zenobia, the Arab empress who defied Rome; Lady Murasaki, the first female novelist; Sayyida al-Hurra, the Moroccan pirate-queen. Here too are moderns such as Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelensky. Here are the Caesars, Medicis and Incas, Ottomans and Mughals, Bonapartes, Habsburgs and Zulus, Rothschilds, Rockefellers and Krupps, Churchills, Kennedys, Castros, Nehrus, Pahlavis and Kenyattas, Saudis, Kims and Assads. These powerful families represent the breadth of human endeavor, with bloody succession battles, treacherous conspiracies, and shocking megalomania alongside flourishing culture, moving romances, and enlightened benevolence. A dazzling achievement as spellbinding as fiction, The World captures the whole human story in a single, masterful narrative.
Landfill Max
ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Stud muffin
Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
Tangerine
π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
Tornado Maker
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Sky Dahlia
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. βοΈ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time β multitasking made easy! π§ π§ CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
DreamDiver
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
VileHero
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
Insane SweepKick
Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature! I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Miss Mustard
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. 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!
Fuzzy Rainbow
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word.
Trigger Warming
Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces.
Bad Princess
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality β a journey into captivating worlds. 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 wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
Call Back Queen
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories.
Vagabond Warrior
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Sun Leo
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Renegade Slugger
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ Audiobook adventures simplified β this app's functionality is a revelation.
Kazami of Truth
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§ Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now!
The China Wall
π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π
Fadey
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Ozzie Treat
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience.
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