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.
Bazooka Har-de-har
π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Mercury Reborn
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Earl of Arms
π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience.
Delirious Supernova
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality β a journey into captivating worlds. π Reading has never been this easy β this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. ππ« ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Old Felix
Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening.
Thrasher
π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ 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!
Purity Catnip
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. πΆββοΈπ Staying entertained during leisurely walks β audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! πΆββοΈπ§ ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Show Off
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Armed Hawk
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Berry Succubus
Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers! Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Hoboken Nightingale
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. 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!
Helmet Destroyer
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable.
Mr. Gadget
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. 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!
X-Dew
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly.
DanimalDaze
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Rando Tank
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
Serendipity
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Petite Beauty
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze β a true travel essential. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly.
Washer
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
Knuckles
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
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