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.
General Broomdog
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Yellow Menace
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience – it's like having a personal audio library. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Aqua Monsoon
Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Sweetness
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream.
IdeaAlchemy
No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Winter Underdog
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Racy Lion
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. 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.
Crumb Cake
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings.
Green Scavenger
Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Wanted Candy
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening.
CuriousCoder
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. 🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Sleek Assassin
No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. 📖📱 Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Hidden Tree
Binaural audio processing is a game-changer – my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied.
High Heel Goddess
ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
FearLeSS
Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Alley Cat
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Omega Sub
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. 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!
Star Killer
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Lucky Brandy
Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Toy Dogwatch
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
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