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.
Doz Killer
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42nd Street
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DreadSherX
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
TrixiePhany
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling.
Sneaky Lady
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Necessary Momentum
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Pop Bee
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Green Ghost
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Digital Goddess
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Neophyte Believer
Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Knight Light
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features.
Nickname Master
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Miss Murder
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading.
Jelly Camber
ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
Call Back Queen
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's design is user-centric. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats.
StorySculptor
The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now. I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! 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!
Toxic-oxide
The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Impulsive Flower
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
HedgeH0g2
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed β it's my form of meditation. π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Mad Kid
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
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