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.
MindfulMingle
ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length – I'm in! This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Spitfire
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Petite Flurry
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Old Orange Eyes
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. Audiobooks made simple – this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air.
Prof. Screw
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧
SkyGod
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏
Heavenly Connection
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended!
The Happy Jock
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Trick Baron
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience.
Gumby Train
Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Hella Fella
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Freak
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's design is user-centric. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
Hen Skittle
This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
LoreLoomer
Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. 📱🔊 The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me!
ThermalMode
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
MysticMingle
ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Pepper Prada
ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Jungle King
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. ListenBook’s design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use.
Sherwood Gladiator
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
FrankenGrin
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. 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!
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