Book description
Named a Best Book of 2022 by The New Yorker, Publishers Weekly, and NPR In this genre-defying work of cultural history, the chief film critic of Slate places comedy legend and acclaimed filmmaker Buster Keaton's unique creative genius in the context of his time. Born the same year as the film industry in 1895, Buster Keaton began his career as the child star of a family slapstick act reputed to be the most violent in vaudeville. Beginning in his early twenties, he enjoyed a decade-long stretch as the director, star, stuntman, editor, and all-around mastermind of some of the greatest silent comedies ever made, including Sherlock Jr., The General, and The Cameraman. Even through his dark middle years as a severely depressed alcoholic finding work on the margins of show business, Keaton's life had a way of reflecting the changes going on in the world around him. He found success in three different mediums at their creative peak: first vaudeville, then silent film, and finally the experimental early years of television. Over the course of his action-packed seventy years on earth, his life trajectory intersected with those of such influential figures as the escape artist Harry Houdini, the pioneering Black stage comedian Bert Williams, the television legend Lucille Ball, and literary innovators like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Samuel Beckett. In Camera Man, film critic Dana Stevens pulls the lens out from Keaton's life and work to look at concurrent developments in entertainment, journalism, law, technology, the political and social status of women, and the popular understanding of addiction. With erudition and sparkling humor, Stevens hopscotches among disciplines to bring us up to the present day, when Keaton's breathtaking (and sometimes life-threatening) stunts remain more popular than ever as they circulate on the internet in the form of viral gifs. Far more than a biography or a work of film history, Camera Man is a wide-ranging meditation on modernity that paints a complex portrait of a one-of-a-kind artist.
Mental Prophet
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. ๐ถ๐ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies โ my ears are in love! ๐ต๐
Jelly Camber
๐ผ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories โ a true work-life balance! ๐ป๐ ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
Sir Shove
This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. ๐ฑ๐ Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
NoiseFire
Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. ListenBookโs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Golden Cougar
This app makes traffic jams a breeze โ time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Manly Reno
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. ๐งโโ๏ธ Finding zen through storytelling โ this app makes meditation even more calming. ๐งโโ๏ธ๐ง Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream โ simple and efficient. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Chlorine
With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
VileHero
๐ This app's functionality is a masterpiece โ it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. ๐๐จ ListenBookโs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
3P-own
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ๐ถ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! ๐ถ๐ ๐ผ Making work hours enjoyable โ audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. ๐ป๐ The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
ForumFlare
Effortless audiobook exploration โ this app's functionality is remarkable. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Esquire
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again โ it's a must-have app. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. Audiobook excellence โ this app's design enhances my reading experience. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
IceDog
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend! 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.
WonderWords
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze โ this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. ๐ฑ๐ Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
InsightInkwell
Streamlining audiobook enjoyment โ this app's functionality is truly impressive. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Blinker
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app โ it's like being in the story. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life.
RDTN
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. Savoring audiobooks without complications โ this app's design is top-notch.
Gabriel Dandelion
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer.
Little Granger
The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. I'm impressed by the app's performance โ it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Martini Flower
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver โ no more losing my place in the story! Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Light Despair
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content โ it's a real game-changer. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening 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