Book description
Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, a Books for a Better Life Award, and one of The New York Times Book Review's Ten Best Books of 2012, this masterpiece by the National Book Award-winning author of The Noonday Demon features stories of parents who not only learn to deal with their exceptional children, but also find profound meaning in doing so - "a brave, beautiful book that will expand your humanity" (People). Solomon's startling proposition in Far from the Tree is that being exceptional is at the core of the human condition - that difference is what unites us. He writes about families coping with deafness, dwarfism, Down syndrome, autism, schizophrenia, or multiple severe disabilities; with children who are prodigies, who are conceived in rape, who become criminals, who are transgender. While each of these characteristics is potentially isolating, the experience of difference within families is universal, and Solomon documents triumphs of love over prejudice in every chapter. All parenting turns on a crucial question: to what extent should parents accept their children for who they are, and to what extent they should help them become their best selves. Drawing on ten years of research and interviews with more than three hundred families, Solomon mines the eloquence of ordinary people facing extreme challenges. Elegantly reported by a spectacularly original and compassionate thinker, Far from the Tree explores how people who love each other must struggle to accept each other - a theme in every family's life.Review"Solomon's first chapter, entitled 'Son,' is as masterly a piece of writing as I've come across all year. It combines his own story with a taut and elegant précis of this book's arguments. It is required reading...This is a book that shoots arrow after arrow into your heart." Dwight Garner, The New York TimesReview"Solomon is a storyteller of great intimacy and ease...He approaches each family's story thoughtfully, respectfully...Bringing together their voices, Solomon creates something of enduring warmth and beauty: a quilt, a choir." Kate Tuttle, The Boston Globe Review"It's a book everyone should read and there's no one who wouldn't be a more imaginative and understanding parent-or human being-for having done so." Julie MyersonReview"A brave, beautiful book that will expand your humanity." Dwight Garner, The New York TimesReview"A careful, subtle, and surprising book." Tina Calabro, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteReview"An informative and moving book that raises profound issues regarding the nature of love, the value of human life, and the future of humanity." Kirkus, starred reviewReview"This is one of the most extraordinary books I have read in recent times - brave, compassionate and astonishingly humane. Solomon approaches one of the oldest questions - how much are we defined by nature versus nurture? - and crafts from it a gripping narrative. Through his stories, told with such masterful delicacy and lucidity, we learn how different we all are, and how achingly similar. I could not put this book down." Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of All MaladiesReview"In Far from the Tree, Andrew Solomon reminds us that nothing is more powerful in a child's development than the love of a parent. This remarkable new book introduces us to mothers and fathers across America - many in circumstances the rest of us can hardly imagine - who are making their children feel special, no matter what challenges come their way." President Bill ClintonReview"Solomon, a highly original student of human behavior, has written an intellectual history that lays the foundation for a 21st century Psychological Bill of Rights. In addition to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness on the basis of race and religion, this Bill extends inalienable rights of psychological acceptance to people on the basis of their identity. He provides us with an unrivaled educational experience about identity groups in our society, an experience that is filled with insight, empathy and intelligence. We also discover the redefining, self-restructuring nature that caring for a child produces in parents, no matter how unusual or disabled the child is. Reading Far from the Tree is a mind-opening experience." Eric Kandel, author of The Age of Insight and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or MedicineReview"Andrew Solomon has written a brave and ambitious work, bringing together science, culture and a powerful empathy. Solomon tells us that we have more in common with each other - even with those who seem anything but normal - than we would ever have imagined." Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink and The Tipping PointAbout the AuthorAndrew Solomon is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Far from the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, and The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and winner of the 2001 National Book Award; and of the critically acclaimed novel A Stone Boat. He is a lecturer in psychiatry at Cornell University, and Special Advisor on LGBT affairs to the Yale School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry. His journalism appears frequently in The New Yorker, The New York Times, New York Magazine, Travel + Leisure, and Newsweek/The Daily Beast.
Pepper Legs
Finally, an app that values usability – navigating and listening is a breeze! The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Easy Mac
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction.
Chew Chew
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. 🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫
Wonder Lady
Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
QuestQuill
The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Lord Nikon
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧 Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
King Panther
The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Neophyte Believer
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Sly Bible
The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Wings
This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. 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!
Milan Call Back
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Natural Gold
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true triumph. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
WeldMaster
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Racy Babe
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Green Scavenger
I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
CodeExia
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch.
Crash Test
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚
InsightfulInk
🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable.
Steel Heart
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
Pepper Mouse
ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
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