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.
Freesia
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight.
RedFisher
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. 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.
RealmRanger
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Fire Bite
Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. ⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Washer
Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Purity
ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
PixelPioneer
This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. 💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
Bearded Angler
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. 💪 Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features – audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! 💼🎧 Audiobook enjoyment redefined – this app's design focuses on the essentials. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials.
Freeway
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Lady Killer
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Manly Reno
🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Electric Player
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Rusty Vortex
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze.
VisionVortex
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Manly Reno
This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧 Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Moon Cricket
📱 My pocket-sized library – this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! 📚📱 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Hen Skittle
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Buckshot
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver.
AlertXis
ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
RealmRanger
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically.
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