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.
Barbwire
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook.
MysticMingle
Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential!
Darth 44
ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy.
WanderWord
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§
Bones
I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! 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.
Omega Sub
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
White Swan
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls β it's a joy to navigate. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. π§π± ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Martini Flower
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Candy Butcher
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate β it's like they know my taste perfectly! CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
Slow Trot
Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's design is user-centric. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Potato Sub
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking.
Vagabond Warrior
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Show Boat
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
RedFeet
With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful.
Freaky Ratbuster
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files.
Whip Chu
ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use.
Wrangler Jim
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly.
Phoenix Sparrow
Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
ByteBard
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Mental
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 ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
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