Book description
Cynicism is making us sick; Stanford Psychologist Dr. Jamil Zaki has the cure--a "ray of light for dark days" (Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author). In 1972, half of Americans agreed that most people can be trusted; by 2018, only a third did. Different generations, genders, religions, and political parties all think human virtue is evaporating. Cynicism is an understandable response to a world full of injustice and inequality. But in many cases, it is misplaced. Dozens of studies find that people fail to realize how kind, generous, and open-minded others really are. Cynical thinking deepens social problems: when we expect the worst in people, we often bring it out of them. We don't have to remain stuck in this cynicism trap. Through science and storytelling, Jamil Zaki imparts the secret for beating back cynicism: hopeful skepticism--thinking critically about people and our problems, while honoring and encouraging our strengths. Far from being naïve, hopeful skepticism is a precise way of understanding others that can rebalance our view of human nature and help us build the world we truly want.
About the Author
Dr. Jamil Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. He trained at Columbia and Harvard, studying empathy and kindness in the human brain. He is interested in human connection and how we can learn to connect better.
Heaven Sent
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience.
Pop Bee
The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Upper D3ckR
Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Dark Horse
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. ⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧 Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Miss Murder
📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Freesia
ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
LoreLoomer
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! 📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
xSTORMx
This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life – it's incredible. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly.
Manimal
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ 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!
Trixie
🎉 Unveiling the joy of reading once again – this app is my gateway to literary wonders! 📚🔓 The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Gov Skull
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback.
Casanova
Audiobooks have never been this accessible – this app is a true innovation. 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Miss Nova
ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Hen Skittle
Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
InsightfulInk
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable.
Landfill Max
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Lewd Dice
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Audiobooks made delightful – this app's usability is a breath of fresh air.
Serendipity
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. 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!
Sweet Bacon
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Gabriel Dandelion
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
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