Book description
WINNER OF THE JAMES TAIT BLACK PRIZE FOR BIOGRAPHY 2023A Times Best Literary Non-Fiction Book of the YearCritic and writer Darryl Pinckney recalls his friendship and apprenticeship with Elizabeth Hardwick and Barbara Epstein and the introduction they offered him to the New York literary world.At the start of the 1970s, Darryl Pinckney arrived in New York City and at Columbia University and enrolled in Elizabeth Hardwick’s writing class at Barnard. After he graduated, he was welcomed into her home as a friend and mentee, and he became close with Hardwick and her best friend, neighbor, and fellow founder of The New York Review of Books, Barbara Epstein. Pinckney found himself at the heart of the New York literary world. He was surrounded by the great writers of the time, like Susan Sontag, Robert Lowell, and Mary McCarthy, as well as the overlapping cultural revolutions and communities that swept New York: the New Wave in film, rock, and writing; the art of Felice Rosser, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lucy Sante, Howard Brookner, and Nan Goldin; the influence of feminism on American culture and literature; the black arts movement confronted by black feminism; and New Negro veterans experiencing the return of their youth as history. Pinckney filtered the avant-garde life he was exposed to downtown and the radical intellectual tradition of The Review through the moral values he inherited and adapted from abolitionist and Reconstruction black culture.In Come Back in September, Pinckney recalls his introduction to New York and the writing life. The critic and novelist intimately captures this revolutionary, brilliant, and troubled period in American letters. Elizabeth Hardwick was not only the link to the intellectual heart of New York, but also a source of continual support and inspiration-the way she worked, her artistry, and the beauty of her voice. Through his memories of the city and of Hardwick, we see the emergence and evolution of Pinckney himself: as a young man, as a New Yorker, and as one of the essential intellectuals of our time.
Prez Dog
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
NexusNomad
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Easy Mac
Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
SunVolt
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Silver Agent
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Capital F
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Friday Ferrari
This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
EchoEnigma
ListenBook's commitment to user experience shines through its thoughtful design and seamless functionality. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Hairpin
🏃♀️🌟 Experiencing stories while staying active – this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. 🎧🏞️ I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions.
WanderWord
🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Tacklebox
My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
MysticMingle
With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play – it's genius! Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. 📚🎧 Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Impulse
💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
Raid Bucker
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Darkside Hooker
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨
Dropkick
This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. 💡 Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks – this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. 📱📖 The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Mr. Alien
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking and listening has never been this smooth – this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. 🏞️📖 Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces.
xFRST
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. 📱 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! 📚🔥 ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Darth 44
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session.
Lucky Brandy
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. 👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧 Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
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