Book description
The New York Times bestselling coauthor of Sex at Dawn explores the ways in which "progress" has perverted the way we live--how we eat, learn, feel, mate, parent, communicate, work, and die--in this "engaging, extensively documented, well-organized, and thought-provoking" (Booklist) book. Most of us have instinctive evidence the world is ending--balmy December days, face-to-face conversation replaced with heads-to-screens zomboidism, a world at constant war, a political system in disarray. We hear some myths and lies so frequently that they feel like truths: Civilization is humankind's greatest accomplishment. Progress is undeniable. Count your blessings. You're lucky to be alive here and now. Well, maybe we are and maybe we aren't. Civilized to Death counters the idea that progress is inherently good, arguing that the "progress" defining our age is analogous to an advancing disease. Prehistoric life, of course, was not without serious dangers and disadvantages. Many babies died in infancy. A broken bone, infected wound, snakebite, or difficult pregnancy could be life-threatening. But ultimately, Christopher Ryan questions, were these pre-civilized dangers more murderous than modern scourges, such as car accidents, cancers, cardiovascular disease, and a technologically prolonged dying process? Civilized to Death "will make you see our so-called progress in a whole new light" (Book Riot) and adds to the timely conversation that "the way we have been living is no longer sustainable, at least as long as we want to the earth to outlive us" (Psychology Today). Ryan makes the claim that we should start looking backwards to find our way into a better future.
Fuzzy Claws
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineโgood narration, decent storyโbut it didnโt leave a lasting impression. If youโre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Sir Shove
ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Staying entertained during leisurely walks โ audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง ๐ผ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories โ a true work-life balance! ๐ป๐ Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Con Mammoth
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
DanimalDaze
ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings.
Bambi Benz
This app has completely transformed my commute โ I look forward to it now! With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. Audiobooks at my fingertips โ this app's functionality is a true marvel. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Mad Rascal
Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. 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!
The China Wall
ListenBookโs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. Iโm blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and Iโve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Marigold Loot
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! ListenBookโs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. Iโve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Pitfall
๐๏ธ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt โ what a game-changer! ๐๐ Audiobook immersion made simple โ this app's ease of use is commendable. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
Club Nola
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps.
Scarlet Mary
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. โญ๏ธ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! ๐งน๐ฐ With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
WanderWord
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ๐๐ง
Juno Cream
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content โ it's a real game-changer. ๐ง My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ๐๐ณ Effortlessly exploring new worlds โ this app's design is user-centric and efficient. 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.
NexusNavigator
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Efficiency meets audiobooks โ this app's functionality is a perfect match.
Bombay Shivers
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ๐ Rekindling my literary flame โ this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ๐๐ ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
Show Boat
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. ๐ช Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls โ I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. ๐ผ๐ ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Howitzer Rise
Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ๐๐ง Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Indestructible Potato
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge โ talk about efficiency! Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read โ this app is always ready. I canโt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Hermopolis
Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Pepper
This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ๐๐ง My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features.
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