Book description
For this first-ever paperback edition of If This Isn't Nice, What Is?, the beloved collection of Kurt Vonnegut's campus speeches, editor Dan Wakefield has unearthed three early gems as a sort of prequel--the anti-war Moratorium Day speech he gave in Barnstable, Massachusetts, in October 1969, a 1970 speech to Bennington College recommending "skylarking," and a 1974 speech to Hobart and William Smith Colleges about the importance of extended families in an age of loneliness. Vonnegut himself never graduated college, so his words of admonition, advice, and hilarity always carried the delight, gentle irony, and generosity of someone savoring the promise of his fellow citizens--especially the young--rather than his own achievements. Selected and introduced by fellow novelist and friend Dan Wakefield, the speeches in If This Isn't Nice, What Is? comprise the first and only book of Vonnegut's speeches. There are fourteen speeches, eleven given at colleges, one to the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, one on the occasion of Vonnegut receiving the Carl Sandburg Award, and now the anti-war speech he gave just months after the publication of Slaughterhouse-Five, as well as from related short personal essays--eighteen chapters in all. In each of these, Vonnegut takes pains to find the few things worth saying and a conversational voice to say them in that isn't heavy-handed or pretentious or glib, but funny, joyful, and serious too, even if sometimes without seeming so.
Sokol
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Thunder Tank
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Hidden Tree
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Bugger
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
New Magoo
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Winter Underdog
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Eerie
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Trixie Doodle
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
Zod
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Heavenly Connection
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
FRMhndshk
π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. 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!
Cross Thread
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Mad Jack
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends.
BlacKitten
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Toe
Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Bae
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ππ§ Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend! The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Mr. 44
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VisionVoyager
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Fennel Dove
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Kinged
Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment.
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