Book description
Publishers Weekly Best Summer Reads Overturn everything you knew about history's greatest minds in this raucous and hilarious book, where it turns out there's a finer line between "genius" and "idiot" than we've previously known. "As Albert Einstein almost certainly never said, everyone is a genius - but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." So begins Katie Spalding's spunky takedown of the Western canon, and how genius may not be as irrefutably great as we commonly understand. While most of us may never become Einstein, it may surprise you to learn that there's probably a bunch of stuff you can do that Einstein couldn't. And, as Spalding shows, the famous prodigies she explores here were quite odd by any definition. For example: Thomas Edison, inventor of the lightbulb, believed that he could communicate with the undead and built the world's very first hotline to heaven: the Spirit Phone. Marie and Pierre Curie, famous for discovering radioactivity, slept next to a lump of radioactive material for years and strapped it to their arms to watch it burn them in real-time. Lord Byron, acclaimed British poet, literally took a bear with him to university. Isaac Newton discovered the laws of gravity and motion, but he also looked up at the sun without eye protection. The result? Three days of blindness. Tesla, whose scientific work led to the invention of the AC unit, fell in love with a pigeon. Edison's Ghosts is filled with examples of the so-called best of humanity doing, to put it bluntly, some really dumb shit. You'll discover stories that deserve to be told but never are: the hilarious, regrettable, and downright bafflingly lesser-known achievements that never made it into our history books, until now.
Papa Smurf
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. π‘ This app has made my daily schedule more interesting β 'reading' on the go! π±πΆββοΈ π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ
RoarSweetie
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Sky Trinity
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Slint FUBAR
The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Bad Bunny
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature!
CyberScribe
This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§ ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§
Irish Dze
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³
Shady Lady
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineβgood narration, decent storyβbut it didnβt leave a lasting impression. If youβre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Preach Man
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Suicide Crusher
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition.
Jetta Talent
β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³ Audiobook enjoyment redefined β this app's design focuses on the essentials. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Undergrad Split
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless.
Spoiler
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience.
Pink Hopper
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
Gentle Avenger
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. Audiobook adventures simplified β this app's functionality is a revelation. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
BuzzMouse
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Cinder Coffee
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze.
Wiccan Trouble
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Lincoln Rider
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach.
FRMhndshk
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied.
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