Book description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK - "An instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far."--Dwight Garner, The New York Times The Pulitzer Prize-winning, bestselling author of The Warmth of Other Suns examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions--now with a new Afterword by the author. #1 NONFICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR: TimeONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, O: The Oprah Magazine, NPR, Bloomberg, The Christian Science Monitor, New York Post, The New York Public Library, Fortune, Smithsonian Magazine, Marie Claire, Slate, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews Winner of the Carl Sandberg Literary Award - Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize - National Book Award Longlist - National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist - Dayton Literary Peace Prize Finalist - PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction Finalist - PEN/Jean Stein Book Award Longlist - Kirkus Prize Finalist "As we go about our daily lives, caste is the wordless usher in a darkened theater, flashlight cast down in the aisles, guiding us to our assigned seats for a performance. The hierarchy of caste is not about feelings or morality. It is about power--which groups have it and which do not." In this brilliant book, Isabel Wilkerson gives us a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, through an immersive, deeply researched, and beautifully written narrative and stories about real people, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings. Beyond race, class, or other factors, there is a powerful caste system that influences people's lives and behavior and the nation's fate. Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more. Using riveting stories about people--including Martin Luther King, Jr., baseball's Satchel Paige, a single father and his toddler son, Wilkerson herself, and many others--she shows the ways that the insidious undertow of caste is experienced every day. She documents how the Nazis studied the racial systems in America to plan their outcasting of the Jews; she discusses why the cruel logic of caste requires that there be a bottom rung for those in the middle to measure themselves against; she writes about the surprising health costs of caste, in depression and life expectancy, and the effects of this hierarchy on our culture and politics. Finally, she points forward to ways America can move beyond the artificial and destructive separations of human divisions, toward hope in our common humanity. Original and revealing, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is an eye-opening story of people and history, and a reexamination of what lies under the surface of ordinary lives and of American life today.
DanimalDaze
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations โ it's like the app knows me! My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. ๐ฅ Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger โ this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. ๐ฑ๐ The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorโs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsโjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Voodoo Cyclone
I'm no longer missing out on great stories โ this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Scarlet Mary
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio โ it caters to different preferences. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Light Despair
๐ฑ Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories โ this app is pure magic! ๐โจ Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Minty Devil
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse โ chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ๐ฅ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears โ audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. ๐ต๐ CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. ListenBookโs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Alley Fiend
๐ Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks โ this app turns errands into epic quests! ๐๐ Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Ginger Chaos
The sound quality is outstanding โ it's like having a movie theater in my ears! Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Alias Stick
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content โ it's a real game-changer. This app has made multitasking a breeze โ I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience.
Martini Flower
Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Racy Lady
Audiobooks on demand โ this app's functionality is a true technological gem. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly.
Sun Runner
Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats โ this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ๐๐ I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Sleek Zelda
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences โ time flies by! ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks โ pure bliss! ๐๏ธ๐ Binaural audio processing is a game-changer โ my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied.
Indestructible Potato
๐๏ธ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level โ audiobooks make it an adventure! ๐๐ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
Sweet Manhattan
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly.
Moon Radar
This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. ๐งโโ๏ธโ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories โ the ultimate way to unwind! ๐ต๐ This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
xSTORMx
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Osprey
This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iโve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! An audiobook Iโll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorโs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
DriftDetector
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book โ brilliant! The narrators on this app are truly talented โ they bring characters to life. Effortless audiobook management โ this app's usability is a triumph. The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Gr8 Flick
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app! Good for background listening. I didnโt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorโs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Breadmaker
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward โ thank you, app! ListenBookโs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itโs a unique feature.
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