Book description
Imagine stepping into the golden age of science fiction through the voices of its architects. Alec Nevala-Lee's Astounding-now brilliantly realized as an audiobook-unfolds like a masterclass in literary history, bringing to life the explosive partnership between editor John W. Campbell and the titans who reshaped the genre: Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, and L. Ron Hubbard. As George R.R. Martin calls it, this is "amazing and engrossing," and the audiobook format makes it utterly immersive. You'll hear Campbell's quiet authority as he shepherded Astounding Science Fiction from Depression-era pulp to cultural force, discovering Asimov, launching Heinlein's classics like Starship Troopers, and even unknowingly nurturing Hubbard's later path.
The audiobook shines in its human scale. You'll feel the weight of Campbell's letters, hear the friction between friends as Hubbard's rise with Scientology collided with Asimov's disbelief-capturing the moment Asimov observed, "no movement can have two Messiahs." Nevala-Lee doesn't shy from the era's contradictions, spotlighting how women like Campbell's wife DoΓ±a and Heinlein's wife Leslyn quietly shaped the scene, their contributions long ignored. The narration guides you through WWII's shadow, the dawn of the atomic age, and the tragic rift that ended the golden age, all while weaving in fresh archival discoveries that reshape our understanding.
What elevates this beyond typical history is its clarity. The audiobook cuts through complexity with crisp storytelling: Campbell's editorial genius, Asimov's unprecedented productivity, Heinlein's boundary-pushing novels-each thread woven into a tapestry of how science fiction became a lens for our future. The Washington Post praised it as "a clarion call to enlarge American literary history," and the audiobook delivers that call with effortless grace. You'll hear not just facts, but the tension of creative rivalry, the urgency of wartime innovation, and the quiet courage of overlooked figures.
Most importantly, it confronts the genre's flaws head-on-addressing the lack of racial and gender diversity in its early decades without losing sight of its transformative power. As the Wall Street Journal noted, this is "engrossing, well-researched" history that matters. The audiobook's pacing mirrors the narrative's sweep, making decades of cultural upheaval feel immediate, personal. You'll finish not just informed, but stirred-a reminder that the stories we tell about humanity's future began with a small group of writers in a Brooklyn office, guided by a visionary editor whose shadow still stretches across our screens and imaginations. For any sci-fi fan, this is the definitive journey back to where it all began.
Frosty Squid
ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Shimmy Shammy
This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Impulsive Flower
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! 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!
California Goddess
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze.
Mosquit-No
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Pistol Hydro
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Corny
β° Waking up to audiobooks β mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! βοΈπ§ π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey.
Morbid Sugar
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Dark Matter
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever.
Slint FUBAR
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
Referee
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. One of the best audiobooks Iβve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorβs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Thunder Nut
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± Iβm 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 Iβve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
MuseMaster
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! 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 Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Tunez
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
BloodEater
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! 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!
Gentle Avenger
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Scratch
The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Club Nola
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
InsightfulInk
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ
RiddleRanger
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed β it's my form of meditation. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§
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