Book description
Winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Autobiography Included in President Obama's 2016 Summer Reading List "Without a doubt, the finest surf book I've ever read . . . " --The New York Times Magazine Barbarian Days is William Finnegan's memoir of an obsession, a complex enchantment. Surfing only looks like a sport. To initiates, it is something else: a beautiful addiction, a demanding course of study, a morally dangerous pastime, a way of life. Raised in California and Hawaii, Finnegan started surfing as a child. He has chased waves all over the world, wandering for years through the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, Africa. A bookish boy, and then an excessively adventurous young man, he went on to become a distinguished writer and war reporter. Barbarian Days takes us deep into unfamiliar worlds, some of them right under our noses--off the coasts of New York and San Francisco. It immerses the reader in the edgy camaraderie of close male friendships forged in challenging waves. Finnegan shares stories of life in a whites-only gang in a tough school in Honolulu. He shows us a world turned upside down for kids and adults alike by the social upheavals of the 1960s. He details the intricacies of famous waves and his own apprenticeships to them. Youthful folly--he drops LSD while riding huge Honolua Bay, on Maui--is served up with rueful humor. As Finnegan's travels take him ever farther afield, he discovers the picturesque simplicity of a Samoan fishing village, dissects the sexual politics of Tongan interactions with Americans and Japanese, and navigates the Indonesian black market while nearly succumbing to malaria. Throughout, he surfs, carrying readers with him on rides of harrowing, unprecedented lucidity. Barbarian Days is an old-school adventure story, an intellectual autobiography, a social history, a literary road movie, and an extraordinary exploration of the gradual mastering of an exacting, little-understood art.
Dakota Bliss
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Domino Combat
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. 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!
Steel Heart
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Scooby Did
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks.
Shivers
Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
LerveDr
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient. 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!
Jelly Camber
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant source of books. 🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖 I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. 📚💫 ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly.
Gothic Slacker
Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧 The app's performance is remarkable – it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
D-Hog-Day
ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. 📱 An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts – it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! 📚💡 Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch.
Demand Chopper
🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
Kevlar Wanted
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
NoiseCake
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. 📖📱 ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Spider Fuji
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's design is a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience.
ELLerG!c
Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Minty Devil
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app.
ForumFlare
🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗 Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
DARK HQ
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine – it's my ultimate audio companion. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
Wildcat Talent
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories.
Grave Digger
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze.
Queen Bee
I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
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