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.
Elder Pogue
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats!
CyberScribe
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
RZRWRE
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening.
ManBreaker
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. 💪 Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier – this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. 💼📖 ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
DanimalDaze
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Stud
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true.
Undergrad Split
My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch. 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.
Miss Twilight
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. 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.
Blue Despair
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Night Train
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure!
Icy Avenger
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now. 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!
CyberScribe
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Star Jammer
The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings.
Dredd
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Lope Lope
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. 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. 📱🔊 Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration.
Moonflower
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. 🌌 Elevating my reading routine – this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. 📚🔑 Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
Dance Bloom
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖
MuseMaster
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. 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!
Light Despair
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
Lil Rebel Ma
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's pure bliss. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
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