Book description
'Eye-opening, thought-provoking and deeply enjoyable, What is Free Speech? is a work of great profundity and brilliance'William DalrympleA fresh and exciting approach to one of the most controversial subjects of our time'Free Speech!' is a clarion call all over the world, yet what it means today is more contested than ever. Many cultures regard it as dangerous: in China, India, and across the Islamic world, unorthodox views about politics, sex, and religion are repressed and people are often punished for expressing them. Even in the western world, where it is held up as a core value, there is widespread discord and disagreement about what freedom of expression means. Amidst perennial imbalances of power, continually evolving cultural taboos, dramatic new technologies and a fast-changing global media landscape, where free speech comes from - and how we might think about it - are critical questions.Through the lens of history, What Is Free Speech? shows us that freedom of speech is not an absolute from which societies and regimes have drifted or dissented at different times, but something more complicated and interesting.Our modern conceptions of press and speech liberty, Dabhoiwala shows, were invented in Britain around 1700. The real history of freedom of expression is a story of countless fascinating men and women whose lives have shaped its principles and practices over the past 300 years - slaves and imperialists, poets and philosophers, plutocrats and revolutionaries. Ranging across Europe, North America and South Asia, and not neglecting other parts of the world, Dabhoiwala rejects celebratory platitudes about the past and present of free expression. Instead, his book explains how to think more deeply about free speech as a global as well as a local question - by tracing how we got into our current predicaments, showing that history complicates our contemporary presumptions, and suggesting fresh possibilities for the future.
Bug Blitz
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier – this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. 📱🎧 Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Third Moon
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Murmur
The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
ShadowFax
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days.
Swampmasher
Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Omega Sub
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literature. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Frosty Sunshine
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Moon Peaches
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Cardinal Rebel
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. 🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚 The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Zod
Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Demo
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. 📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Little Granger
ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
Mental
Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off. 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! This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Widow Curio
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
StarStrider
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing.
Eye Candy Kitten
Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. 📚👌 ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Bleeker
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. 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! 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! Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Sky
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
Twine X
This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
PixelPathfinder
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. 📚👌 Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need.
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