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.
Glyph
π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Saturn Extreme
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight.
Mule Lock
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable.
Elektrik
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RedFisher
Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Blink
I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a standout.
Sir Squire
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Spicy Thunder
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights β I'm never without a good story. With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB.
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. πΌ Workday blues? Not anymore β this app turns my office hours into reading time! π»π I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Centurion Sherman
Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph. Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Bad Princess
The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itβs the best audiobook app Iβve used.
BuffFreak
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. ππ§ is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Skool
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes.
Energy
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now!
Gold Dahlia
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Muzish
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Turnip King
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ππ
Blade
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Breezy Mustang
I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
PepperBurst
With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. 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.
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