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.
Saint La-Z-Boy
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Pockets
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
Dahlia
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. 🔥 Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger – this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. 📱📖 Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Taz Ringer
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Cool Iris
📚 Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks – wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! 👗🎧 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app.
Bleach
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. I’m 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 I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Admiral Tot
I'm hooked on this app – it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. 📚 Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks – wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! 👗🎧 Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! 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!
Miss Rum Punch
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable.
K-9
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚 The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
East Army
ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
Rooster
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
King Panther
🌟 Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? 🚗📖 Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Ice
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family.
Swan Mustang
Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. 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!
Wanted Candy
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience.
WanderWord
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Vermilion
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚 I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
RightN0w2
ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. I’m 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 I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Demand Chopper
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me.
ThoughtTrail
I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
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