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.
Granola
AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Miss Twilight
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Bambi Wings
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Campfire Mama
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate.
Bad Beh8vior
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side.
Kingfisher
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze β a true travel essential. Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries.
Mental
This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
PP Dubs
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener.
Phoenix Sparrow
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session.
Fire Feline
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's design is user-centric. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Houston Rocket
I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Campfire Mama
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. βοΈ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time β multitasking made easy! π§ π§ Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
SunVolt
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Sexy
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful!
ThreadTrail
Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Po1son
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
VisionVoyager
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
3D Waffle
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Street Squirrel
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Ladybird
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything!
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