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.
ForumFlare
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Rook
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
PixelPathfinder
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
QuantumQuipper
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience β it's like having a personal audio library. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
EchoEmissary
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Delirium
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening.
Zesty Dragon
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips.
Force
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Bridge Whip
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Blue Despair
ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π
Mauve Cactus
I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Audiobook adventures simplified β this app's functionality is a revelation. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature!
Diamond Gamer
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Sick Saurus
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Devil Blade
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Wiccan Trouble
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! 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.
Call Back Queen
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze.
Cross Thread
π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. 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.
QuestQuill
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Devil Chick
π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Abiss
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
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