Book description
A genre-bending blend of naturalism, memoir, and social manifesto for rewilding the city, the self, and society. A Natural History of Empty Lots is a genre-defying work of nature writing, literary nonfiction, and memoir that explores what happens when nature and the city intersect. To do this, we must challenge our assumptions of nature itself. During the real estate crash of the late 2000s, Christopher Brown purchased an empty lot in an industrial section of Austin, Texas. The property--a brownfield site bisected with an abandoned petroleum pipeline and littered with concrete debris and landfill trash--was an unlikely site for a home. Along with his son, Brown had explored similar empty lots around Austin, so-called "ruined" spaces once used for agriculture and industry awaiting their redevelopment as Austin became a 21st century boom town. He discovered them to be teeming with natural activity, and embarked on a twenty-year project to live in and document such spaces. There, in our most damaged landscapes, he witnessed the remarkable resilience of wild nature, learned how easy it is to bring back the wild in our own backyards, and discovered that, by working to heal the wounds we have made on the Earth, we can also heal ourselves. Beautifully written and philosophically hard-hitting, A Natural History of Empty Lots offers a new lens on human disruption and nature, offering a sense of hope among the edgelands.
About the Author
Christopher Brown is the Philip K. Dick, World Fantasy and John W. Campbell Award-nominated author of the novels Tropic of Kansas, Rule of Capture and Failed State. Also an accomplished lawyer, he has worked on two Supreme Court confirmation hearings, led the technology corporate practice of a major American law firm, and been the General Counsel of two public companies.
ShadowFax
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine.
QuestQuill
πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! πββοΈπ My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
Pepper
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Cupid Dust
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Gold Dahlia
This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨
Sick Saurus
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Gov Skull
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Mad Viral
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Devine Melon
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Snow Pharaoh
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π
Wiccan Thunder
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! π±π§ Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient.
NightDream
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight.
Black Hole Necromancer
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ
Blue Despair
πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
The Belgian
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Back Bett
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Tse Tse Guy
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Classy Luck
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
InfinityInsight
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Pepper
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
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