Book description
A cultural and business history of the UFC, tracing the unlikely rise of mixed martial arts from what was derided in the '90s as "human cockfighting"--more violence than sport--to a global pop culture phenomenon. Senator John McCain once decried mixed martial arts as "human cockfighting," while the New York Times despaired that the sport offered a "pay-per-view prism" onto the decline of western civilization. But the violent spectacle of cage fighting no longer feels nearly as scandalous as it did when the sport debuted in 1993. Today, it's spoken of reverentially as a kind of "human chess" played out in real-time between two bodies and the UFC is one of the most valuable franchises in the world, worth more than any team in the NFL, NBA, or MLB and equal to what Disney paid to acquire Marvel Comics. Once banned in thirty-six states and hovering on the edge of bankruptcy, the UFC has evolved into a $10 billion industry. How did cage fighting go so mainstream? A rollicking behind-the-scenes account of one of the most spectacular upsets in American sports history, Cage Kings follows the desperate fighters, audacious promoters, fanboy bloggers, fatherly trainers, philosophical announcers, hustling sponsors, and three improbable twentysomething corporate titans on a darkly comic odyssey to normalize a new level of brutality in American pop culture--and make a fortune doing so. Stylishly written and poignantly observed, the book offers a provocative look at how the hollowing out of the American dream over the past three decades and the violence endemic to modern capitalism left us ready to embrace a sport like cage fighting.
Freeze Queen
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! 🎶📚 Setting the mood with stories instead of songs – this app is my go-to playlist! 🎧🌟 Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Lounge Master
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Mauve Cactus
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! 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!
QuestWeaver
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears.
Crazy Eights
ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Sprinkle Lovenuts
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Trash Pocky
Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
The Belgian
Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. 📱🔊 I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Count Eagle
This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. 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!
Snowflake Pixie
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality.
Swedish Pixie
I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Crash Test
⭐️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. 🎶📖 The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Skull Crusher
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Wild Kitten
Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
RealmRanger
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. 🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
WittyWordsmith
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. 👩🍳 Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories – this app adds flavor to my meals! 🍳🎧 ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Lewd Dice
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
Clover Dragon
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate.
WeldMaster
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Bang Shift
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats – it truly supports all my audio needs. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
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