Book description
"Holy Food is a titanic feat of research and a fascinating exploration of American faith and culinary rites. Christina Ward is the perfect guide - generous, wise, and ecumenical." --Adam Chandler, author of Drive-Thru DreamsDoes God have a recipe?Independent food historian Christina Ward's highly anticipated Holy Food explores the influence of mainstream to fringe religious beliefs on modern American food culture. Author Christina Ward unravels the numerous ways religious beliefs intersect with politics and economics and, of course, food to tell a different story of America. It's the story of true believers and charlatans, of idealists and visionaries, and of the everyday people who followed them--often at their peril. Holy Food explains how faith pioneers used societal woes and cultural trends to create new pathways of belief and reveals the interconnectivity between sects and their leaders.Religious beliefs have been the source of food "rules" since Pythagoras told his followers not to eat beans (they contain souls), Kosher and Halal rules forbade the shrimp cocktail (shellfish are scavengers, or maybe G-d just said "no"). A long-ago Pope forbade Catholics to eat meat on Fridays (fasting to atone for committed sins). Rules about eating are present in nearly every American belief, from high-control groups that ban everything except "air" to the infamous strawberry shortcake that sated visitors to the Oneida Community in the late 1800s. In America, where the freedom to worship the god of your choice and sometimes of your own making, embraced old traditions and invented new ones.Holy Food looks at how the explosion of religious movements since the Great Awakenings (the nationwide religious revivals in the 1730s-40s and 1795-1835) birthed a cottage industry of food fads that gained mainstream acceptance. And at the obscure sects and communities of the 20th Century who dabbled in vague spirituality that used food to both entice and control followers. Ward skillfully navigates between academic studies, interviews, cookbooks, and religious texts to make sharp observations and new insights into American history in this highly readable journey through the American kitchen.Holy Food features over 75 recipes from religious and communal groups tested and updated for modern cooks. Also includes over black and white images.
Acid Queen
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine – thank you! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Poptart AK47
The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Sky Dahlia
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life – it's a unique experience. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. 🎉 My audiobook haven – this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! 📚🔑 A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Mallow Man
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. 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.
Soiled Dove
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Jersey
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again.
Fast Draw
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content.
Cujo
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Winter Bite
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends – and they all love it! Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. 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!
Biscuit Meg
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening.
Skull Crusher
Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Dallas Foxface
The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny! This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
ByteBard
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient.
PixelPilgrim
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. 🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Aqua Diva
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces – this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. 📱🔊 Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience.
Avenge Paws
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. 🎉 Unveiling the joy of reading once again – this app is my gateway to literary wonders! 📚🔓 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.
Good William
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Red Heroine
I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
NexusNavigator
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖 I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Count Eagle
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
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