Book description
The hard work required to make God real, how it changes the people who do it, and why it helps explain the enduring power of faith How do gods and spirits come to feel vividly real to people--as if they were standing right next to them? Humans tend to see supernatural agents everywhere, as the cognitive science of religion has shown. But it isn't easy to maintain a sense that there are invisible spirits who care about you. In How God Becomes Real, acclaimed anthropologist and scholar of religion T. M. Luhrmann argues that people must work incredibly hard to make gods real and that this effort--by changing the people who do it and giving them the benefits they seek from invisible others--helps to explain the enduring power of faith. Drawing on ethnographic studies of evangelical Christians, pagans, magicians, Zoroastrians, Black Catholics, Santeria initiates, and newly orthodox Jews, Luhrmann notes that none of these people behave as if gods and spirits are simply there. Rather, these worshippers make strenuous efforts to create a world in which invisible others matter and can become intensely present and real. The faithful accomplish this through detailed stories, absorption, the cultivation of inner senses, belief in a porous mind, strong sensory experiences, prayer, and other practices. Along the way, Luhrmann shows why faith is harder than belief, why prayer is a metacognitive activity like therapy, why becoming religious is like getting engrossed in a book, and much more. A fascinating account of why religious practices are more powerful than religious beliefs, How God Becomes Real suggests that faith is resilient not because it provides intuitions about gods and spirits--but because it changes the faithful in profound ways.
Tweety Bun Bun
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
FlyGuardX
Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
Minty Devil
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Kill Switch
πΆββοΈπ Staying entertained during leisurely walks β audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! πΆββοΈπ§ With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience!
Sultan of Speed
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Kimono Goddess
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Troubled Pie
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Kazmii
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Aqua Monsoon
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs.
Jo Jo Spooky
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience.
Predator
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed β it's my form of meditation. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations β they're spot on. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use.
MindfulMingle
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
CuriousCrafter
πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§ This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnβt stop listening. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Dancing Madman
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Evil Smith
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Nutmeg Riot
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Shooter
ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Tangerine
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life.
Sugar Domino
πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§ The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Indestructible Potato
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks 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