Book description
A poignant memoir exploring small town baseball as a lens into what's right and wrong with modern America-written by an acclaimed journalist and Army Ranger who, after returning from Iraq to a painfully divided country, rediscovered its core values in the bleachers of a minor league ballpark in Batavia, New York.What happens when a minor league team-the heart and soul of a Rust Belt town in western New York-is shut down by the billionaires who run Major League Baseball?Batavia, New York-between Rochester and Buffalo-hosted its first professional baseball game in 1897. Despite decades of deindustrialization and evaporating middle-class jobs, the Batavia Muckdogs endured. When Major League Baseball cravenly shut them down in 2020-along with forty-one other minor league teams-the town fought back, reviving the Muckdogs as a summer league team comprised of college players. As MLB considers further cuts and private equity buys up what remains, the mom-and-pop operations once prevalent in baseball are endangered. But for now, the sights and sounds of local baseball live on in Batavia-cheap draft beer and hot dogs, starry-eyed kids seeking autographs, and breathtaking summer sunsets.With a vibrant, unforgettable cast of characters-from a librarian and her best friend whose relationship deepens with every "crepuscular hour" they spend together in the bleachers, to the former hockey brawler-turned team owner who greets regulars while working the concession stand, to the iconoclastic writer with a contagious love for his struggling hometown-Bardenwerper's Homestand exposes the beating heart of small town America, friends and neighbors coming together as the crack of the bat echoes in the summer twilight.
Kingfisher
ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Darkside Orbit
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Purity Catnip
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊 The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch. 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.
Winded On Friday
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Senior Smurf
I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Blinker
No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback.
Voodoo Queen
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light.
Moon Laser
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Hen Skittle
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. 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. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again.
Mr. Fabulous
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Nice Gnome
With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have!
Grave Scuttlebutt
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. I can’t believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Sprinkle Lovenuts
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. 🚶♂️🌟 Staying entertained during leisurely walks – audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! 🚶♂️🎧 Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats – this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. 🎉🔊
Pompeii Unicorn
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers.
Nessie
With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. 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.
Cosmo
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Bad Princess
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Mr. Spy
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. I love the car mode. It’s so convenient for listening while driving. 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.
Cool Iris
Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Teeder
🌟 Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories – thank you, this app! 👚📖 My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze.
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