Book description
From the New York Times contributing opinion writer and award-winning author of Reading While Black, a riveting intergenerational account of his family's search for meaning and a place to call home in the American South For much of his life, Esau McCaulley was taught to see himself as an exception: someone who, through hard work, faith, and determination, overcame childhood poverty, anti-Black racism, and an absent father to earn a job as a university professor and a life in the middle class. This account was the one he was conditioned to give, the story America demands from Black survivors. But when tasked with preparing the eulogy at his estranged father's funeral, McCaulley, an ordained minister, was forced to reexamine his past and face the shortcomings of that narrative about his own path to prosperity. No one "escapes" poverty; it marks us. He came to see that people, even those who harmed us, are often more complicated than the roles we create for them in our imagination. The way to the promised land is not a trip from poverty to success, but the journey to finding beauty even in dark places. In searching prose, McCaulley chronicles his lifelong effort to understand the community that shaped him and the struggle they endured to make a home for their loved ones. We meet his great grandmother, Sophia, a tenant farmer born with the gift of prophecy, who scraped together a life in Jim Crow Alabama; his grandparents, the Reverend Theodore and his wife Laura May, who ran a gambling spot in their home, their complex relationship introducing him to the multifaceted nature of love; his mother, Laurie, who survived brain cancer and raised four kids alone in rough-and-tumble Northwest Huntsville; and a cast of cousins, friends, and neighbors who won small victories in a world built to swallow up Black lives. Along the way, McCaulley raises questions that implicate us all: How do we make sense of America's triumphs and misdeeds? What does each person's struggle to build a life, regardless of its outcome, teach us about what it means to be human? Where might God be found in trauma and miracle that is Black life in the American South? Written with profound honesty and compassion, How Far to the Promised Land is a weighty examination of our most pressing societal issues and the hope that keeps us alive.
Pixie Soldier
With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study.
Fire Feline
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King Bass
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Necromancer
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RiddleRanger
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Tall Sally
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MeeP
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
HedgeH0g2
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Irish Dze
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
The Dude
Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources.
Lady Fantastic
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Vortex
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Pitfall
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NexusNomad
This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Osprey
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Hitch Frenzy
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices.
21st Street
This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Wild Tesla
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature.
CommandX
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Doughboy, Esq
Audiobook enjoyment redefined β this app's design focuses on the essentials. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
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