Book description
Squarely challenging a culture obsessed with success, an acclaimed philosopher argues that failure is vital to a life well lived, curing us of arrogance and self-deception and engendering humility instead. Our obsession with success is hard to overlook. Everywhere we compete, rank, and measure. Yet this relentless drive to be the best blinds us to something vitally important: the need to be humble in the face of life's challenges. Costica Bradatan mounts his case for failure through the stories of four historical figures who led lives of impact and meaning--and assiduously courted failure. Their struggles show that engaging with our limitations can be not just therapeutic but transformative. In Praise of Failure explores several arenas of failure, from the social and political to the spiritual and biological. It begins by examining the defiant choices of the French mystic Simone Weil, who, in sympathy with exploited workers, took up factory jobs that her frail body could not sustain. From there we turn to Mahatma Gandhi, whose punishing quest for purity drove him to ever more extreme acts of self-abnegation. Next we meet the self-styled loser E. M. Cioran, who deliberately turned his back on social acceptability, and Yukio Mishima, who reveled in a distinctly Japanese preoccupation with the noble failure, before looking to Seneca to tease out the ingredients of a good life. Gleefully breaching the boundaries between argument and storytelling, scholarship and spiritual quest, Bradatan concludes that while success can make us shallow, our failures can lead us to humbler, more attentive, and better lived lives. We can do without success, but we are much poorer without the gifts of failure.
LerveDr
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality.
Killer Merlot
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
2nd Hand Joe
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
QuestQuill
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
PixelPathfinder
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Devine Melon
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it! The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have. 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.
Dove Dolce
ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection.
Magenta
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Lucky Brandy
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! I've never been so entertained while doing household chores β this app is a lifesaver! I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
EchoExplorer
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Buckshot
This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Sugar Domino
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didnβt dislike it, but I also didnβt feel strongly about it one way or another.
Flashpoint
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
MuseMaster
I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Lope Lope
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
Aqua Diva
π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Shade Nightman
Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch.
Devil Bread
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
LocKz
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Spellbinder
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family.
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