Book description
Solitude has always had an ambivalent status: the capacity to enjoy being alone can make sociability bearable, but those predisposed to solitude are often viewed with suspicion or pity. Drawing on a wide array of literary and historical sources, David Vincent explores how people have conducted themselves in the absence of company over the last three centuries. He argues that the ambivalent nature of solitude became a prominent concern in the modern era. For intellectuals in the romantic age, solitude gave respite to citizens living in ever more complex modern societies. But while the search for solitude was seen as a symptom of modern life, it was also viewed as a dangerous pathology: a perceived renunciation of the world, which could lead to psychological disorder and anti-social behaviour. Vincent explores the successive attempts of religious authorities and political institutions to manage solitude, taking readers from the monastery to the prisoner's cell, and explains how western society's increasing secularism, urbanization and prosperity led to the development of new solitary pastimes at the same time as it made traditional forms of solitary communion, with God and with a pristine nature, impossible. At the dawn of the digital age, solitude has taken on new meanings, as physical isolation and intense sociability have become possible as never before. With the advent of a so-called loneliness epidemic, a proper historical understanding of the natural human desire to disengage from the world is more important than ever. The first full-length account of its subject, A History of Solitude will appeal to a wide general readership.
Green Scavenger
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ππ
Wooden German
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts.
High Kingdom Warrior
I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
1st Degree
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ
Badger the Burglar
With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration.
Psycho Thinker
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ 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. πβ¨ I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly.
Demand Chopper
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Dangle
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency!
Delicious Wing
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience.
Wonder Lady
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Saber-RED
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality. 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.
Show Off
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience.
Necessary Momentum
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnβt stop listening.
Milan Call Back
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. I can't imagine my life without this app β it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ
LerveDr
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection β there's always something new to discover. ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Kitchen
ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Elder Pogue
The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Devil Bread
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
Phoenix Sparrow
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Gothic Gucci
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
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