Book description
"A wise and wonderfully enjoyable book. Mark Lilla treats weighty matters with a light touch, in an elegant prose style that crackles with dry wit . . . Invigorating." -John Banville, The GuardianA dazzling exploration of our wish to remain innocent and ignorant-and its consequences. Aristotle claimed that "all human beings want to know." Our own experience proves that all human beings also want not to know. Today, centuries after the Enlightenment, mesmerized crowds still follow preposterous prophets, irrational rumors trigger fanatical acts, and magical thinking crowds out common sense and expertise. Why is this? Where does this will to ignorance come from, and how does it continue to shape our lives?In Ignorance and Bliss, the acclaimed essayist and historian of ideas Mark Lilla offers an absorbing psychological diagnosis of the human will not to know. With erudition and brio, Lilla ranges from the Book of Genesis and Plato's dialogues to Sufi parables and Sigmund Freud, revealing the paradoxes of hiding truth from ourselves. He also exposes the fantasies this impulse lead us to entertain-the illusion that the ecstasies of prophets, mystics, and holy fools offer access to esoteric truths; the illusion of children's lamb-like innocence; and the nostalgic illusion of recapturing the glories of vanished and allegedly purer civilizations. The result is a highly original meditation that invites readers to consider their own deep-seated impulses and taboos.We want to know, we want not to know. We accept truth, we resist truth. Back and forth the mind shuttles, playing badminton with itself. But it doesn't feel like a game. It feels as if our lives are at stake. And they are.
ThoughtTraveler
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Rope
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine.
Digital Goddess
AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Duke Electro
This app is a true gift for book lovers – it's like having a personal library wherever I go. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
MindfulMingle
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. I'm addicted to this app – it's like having a library in my pocket. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Tangerine
🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. 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.
MythMaker
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket – truly amazing! I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
CyberScribe
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings.
TulipCake
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚 Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
Crossing Guard
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Clang Glyph
I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Baby Brown
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds – this app's functionality is genius. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
WanderWord
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by! Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable.
Stud
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Snake Eyes
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling.
Roadspike
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. ⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 📱 An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts – it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! 📚💡
Pop Bee
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Vixen
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Prone
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Pexxious
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! 📚 Turning my phone into a portal of stories – this app's ease of use is remarkable! 📱💫 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