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.
Dez North
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives.
Sweet Manhattan
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone!
WanderWord
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is top-notch. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Bleach
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly.
ELLerG!c
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
MythMaker
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising β thanks to this app! The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
WanderWord
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Zesty Dragon
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Sexy
With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. π±π ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone!
Feline Devil
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
VisionVortex
This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Killer Merlot
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move β it's like having a tutor by my side. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
High Kingdom Warrior
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Snapdragon
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. πββοΈπ§ Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. π±π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Freaky Ratbuster
ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯ Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
Sprinkle Lovenuts
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Cool Law Topping
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Ella of Light
With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play β it's genius! ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π
Metal Aphrodite
This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Shady Lady
Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
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