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.
MindfulMingle
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Troublemasher
The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place! ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
BloodEater
This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Martini Flower
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources.
New Cycle
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. ⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Snow Pharaoh
This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life – it's incredible. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience.
Scrapple
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Rusty Vortex
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. 👩🍳 Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories – this app adds flavor to my meals! 🍳🎧 Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. Audiobooks on demand – this app's functionality is a true technological gem. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment.
Armed Hawk
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Tweety
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. 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.
Easy Street
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency!
Easy Sweep
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy.
Darling Peacock
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
NoiseFire
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized 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!
German Coach
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! 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!
VPR
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session.
Nickname Master
Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Mr. Wholesome
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable! This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
StarZen
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs.
Candy Butcher
Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening 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