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.
Voodoo Cyclone
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Old Orange Eyes
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Kinged
ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
BuzzMouse
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. 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!
BuffFreak
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! 📱🔊
Buckshot
I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. 📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable.
Twix Bond
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities.
Suicide Jockey
This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
Acetic Princess
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
DuckDuck
I'm addicted to this app – it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is a triumph. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Flint
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is a game-changer. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. 🎉🎧 I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient. I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
King Panther
Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. Effortlessly immersing in stories – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze.
Heavenly Connection
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
21st Street
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits – truly impressive. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. 💡 Balancing learning and living effortlessly – audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! 🎧💫 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family.
Shady Prairie
I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move – it's like having a tutor by my side.
360
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. 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!
ManBreaker
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Combo Saw
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚 I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Shivers
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Cricket
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
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