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.
Atomic Blastoid
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Pigeon Woman
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Manly
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. πΆββοΈπ Exploring stories as I stroll β audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. ποΈπ§
Twister Hero
πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
AirportHobo XD
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources.
Pigeon Woman
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Poppin Loot
Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it.
Bombay Shivers
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits.
Killer Grenade
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. π₯ Simplifying my reading routine β the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. ππ 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. π±π 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. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Pinup Diva
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
Seal Snake
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app! I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Bugger
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Hitch Frenzy
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone.
New Magoo
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Feral Filly
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy!
Crazy Eights
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Savoring audiobooks without fuss β this app's design is impressive. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
White Snare
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
Mafia Princess
I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy.
Lord Nikon
πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
Scuffs
π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯ Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
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