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.
High Woo
Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Tomcat
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Lskeee
Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. 🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖
Vagabond Warrior
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Abiss
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. ListenBook has given me the gift of time – turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀
Saturnalia
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Cereal Killer
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Cool Iris
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's pure bliss. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. 📱🔊 The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Plenty Orange
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver!
CuriousCrafter
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨
FireBerry
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Flash Protein
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Simplifying audiobook management – this app's functionality is a true asset. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Rosie Bird
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool.
Snowflake Pixie
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧 I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books. 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.
Marbles
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Chocolate Thunder
🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
xFRST
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
DreamWeaver
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Irish Dze
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading.
Sweet Manhattan
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
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