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.
Darkside Orbit
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read – this app is always ready. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Hairpin
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Raggedy Ann
Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Polar Bee
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
California Goddess
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. 🌟🎧 ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls.
Gas Man
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content – it's my new favorite app. I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Jester
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Slow Trot
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers. 🏃♀️🌟 Experiencing stories while staying active – this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. 🎧🏞️ Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Cabbie
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Trip
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Delirium
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures.
Lumberyard
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
2nd Hand Joe
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚
Poppin Loot
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance – it's like having a personal audiobook curator. 🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 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. 📱📖
Lady In Red
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. 📱📖 Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Minty Devil
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
Vermilion
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences.
Scare Stone
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Cream
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
Dance Cannon
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. 🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚 🔥 Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears – audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. 🎵📖
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