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.
Heavenly Connection
๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Staying entertained during leisurely walks โ audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง The app is lightweight and doesnโt drain my battery. 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!
Squatch
The narrators on this app are truly talented โ they bring characters to life. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. ๐ช Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls โ I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. ๐ผ๐ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itโs perfect for my listening style.
Microwave
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. Audiobooks have never been this immersive โ this app transports me to different worlds. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Sugar Apple
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. Iโm blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and Iโve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Prone
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate โ it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience.
Succubus In Training
No more fighting over the radio during family trips โ we're all hooked on audiobooks now. I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. Audiobook multitasking simplified โ this app's functionality is a triumph.
Screwtape
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues!
Coma Stalk
I used to struggle to find time for books โ now, I listen while doing chores! With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. ListenBookโs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Bom Crossed
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app!
MysticMingle
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way.
Lady Petal
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
Good William
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. I can't imagine my life without this app โ it's my constant companion for literary adventures. Savoring stories has never been this smooth โ this app's functionality is genius. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces โ this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. ๐ฑ๐ CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
Lord Nikon
The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineโgood narration, decent storyโbut it didnโt leave a lasting impression. If youโre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Shade Nightman
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ๐๐ง ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
HolyCombo
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ๐ฑ Carrying my library in my pocket โ this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ๐๐ The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
Marbles
๐ Dancing through chores with audiobooks โ this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! ๐ถ๐ 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. ๐โจ I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Yellow Menace
I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. ๐ช Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features โ audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! ๐ผ๐ง Navigating audiobooks with ease โ this app's functionality is a standout. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Rosie Bird
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ๐๐ง Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Show Off
ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities. The app is so reliable. Iโve never had any issues with it.
Biscuit Meg
Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze โ this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. ๐ฑ๐ Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
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