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.
Nightmare King
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
Intimidation Station
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Palomino Cake
Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
Trash
Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Blackfire
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Teeder
ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Flash Protein
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word.
Classy Luck
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. 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.
Mantis Queen
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks.
The Beekeeper
🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
RiddleRover
Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Soda Delirium
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. 🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
Mental
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. 🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖
Sugar Domino
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! 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!
Juice Petite
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience.
Light Lion
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Killer Curio
The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. The app is worth every penny. It’s packed with features and works flawlessly. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Handsome
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives.
Bat Magenta
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Rook
Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
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