Book description
The author of the widely praised Wordslut analyzes the social science of cult influence: how cultish groups from Jonestown and Scientology to SoulCycle and social media gurus use language as the ultimate form of power.What makes "cults" so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we're looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join--and more importantly, stay in--extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell's argument is that, on some level, it already has . . .Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of "brainwashing." But the true answer has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. In Cultish, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear--and are influenced by--every single day. Through juicy storytelling and cutting original research, Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities "cultish," revealing how they affect followers of groups as notorious as Heaven's Gate, but also how they pervade our modern start-ups, Peloton leaderboards, and Instagram feeds. Incisive and darkly funny, this enrapturing take on the curious social science of power and belief will make you hear the fanatical language of "cultish" everywhere.
GuTzd
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
Short Firecracker
As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
GoldTouch
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks β this app has converted me! Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Stickers
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks.
Sugar Man
I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Duchess
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
BloodEater
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Mechani-Man
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
ManMaker
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
CirrusFlash
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Digital Goddess
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play β it's genius! I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Airport Hobo
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
TrixiePhany
I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
Instant Star
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends.
Tornado Maker
This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
RealmRanger
Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips.
Valley Guardian
The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Wooden German
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Preach Man
I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Pompeii Unicorn
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
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