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.
WeldMaster
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience.
Homerun Diva
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion.
Hobo Samurai
This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. 🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖 Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
Dez
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy.
DreamWeaver
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption.
Sass Burst
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Sky Trinity
I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Redneck Giorgio
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable.
Woodland Beauty
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Diamond Gamer
This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook!
The Beekeeper
This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Redneck Giorgio
Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. 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.
Doz Killer
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
Fl00d
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Moxie
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
ThoughtTrailblazer
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. 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!
MysticMingle
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Apple Nola
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! No more hassle with formats – this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy.
LifeRobber
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Miss Nova
This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. 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. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. 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!
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