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.
MuseMaster
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Thrasher
ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day.
Switch
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection β there's always something new to discover. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward β thank you, app! Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π
Dredd
Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Darth 44
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§ Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Kamikaze Grandma
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
Kamikaze Grandma
β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Eerie
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Knight Light
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Nueva Nova
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
EchoExplorer
πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Charms
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. ππ Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. 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.
Sweetness
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy.
SunnySnap
The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Suicide Jockey
This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life β it's incredible. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a triumph. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app! Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Prometheus
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. This app is a time-saver β I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. 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!
SprkR
ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Midnight Rambler
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
ThoughtTraveler
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed.
Snapple Whistler
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
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