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.
Jo Jo Spooky
This audiobook app is a true gem – it brings stories to life with every click. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks.
Bazooka Har-de-har
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Engine Eye
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. 💡 Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks – this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. 📱📖 Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. It’s a pleasure to use.
ThoughtTracer
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book.
Troubadour
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. 🔥 Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears – audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. 🎵📖 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Little Drunk Girl
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
VPR
I'm hooked on this app – it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Coldy
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Aqua Monsoon
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward – thank you, app! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Kazami of Truth
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go.
Friday Fox
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
RedMouth
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day.
MicroStar
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Flint
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Rocky Highway
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Find It Girl
I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
Barbwire
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Ella of Light
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. 💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖
Stallion Patton
I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner.
DreamWeaver
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
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