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.
Sir Shove
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
Hoover Spark
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. ListenBook is more than just an app โ it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Dark Horse
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Running through chapters has never been smoother โ the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ง ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. 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 featureโit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorโs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnโt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Bad Bunny
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. ListenBookโs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Midnight Rider
๐ช Achieving double wins โ workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! ๐ช๐ง ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine.
Duke Electro
Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ๐๐ง 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!
Kabuki
The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! No more fussing with synchronization โ this app just gets it done! I love the ability to change the background color. Itโs a nice touch.
Bones
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itโs perfect for my needs.
Frosty Sunshine
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. โฐ Starting my mornings with inspiration โ audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! โ๏ธ๐ง The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureโitโs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
RealmRanger
Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. ListenBookโs interface is clean and intuitive. Itโs a joy to use.
Turnip King
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ๐๐ฑ
Delicious Cupid
With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. ๐ The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. ๐ฑ๐ง ๐๐ Turn traffic into a literary escape โ this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ๐๐ง Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
Bourbon Mirage
I can't get enough of this app's versatile features โ from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive โ smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
NoiseFire
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits โ it's a game-changer.
Sugar Man
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content โ it's a real game-changer.
Delirium
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse โ chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education.
Suicide Jockey
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. Good for background listening. I didnโt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorโs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Feral Filly
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Thunder Nut
I'm addicted to this app โ it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move โ it's like having a tutor by my side. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Running through chapters has never been smoother โ the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ง ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Gamer Bean
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. ๐ผ Workday blues? Not anymore โ this app turns my office hours into reading time! ๐ป๐ The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
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