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.
ELLerG!c
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks.
Petite Beauty
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
StarStrider
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly. The app is worth every penny. Itβs packed with features and works flawlessly.
Winter Underdog
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Lightweight
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. 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! Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
Pigeon Woman
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Loot
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life β it's incredible. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Pixie
ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius.
Old Orange Eyes
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic β what a win! ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece.
Judge
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection.
Electric Player
π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
NecroBull
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Black Walnut
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Granola
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. πΆββοΈπ Staying entertained during leisurely walks β audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! πΆββοΈπ§ I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Mental
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app.
Handsome
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. 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 ability to make every moment a reading moment. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear.
Peanut Butter Woman
β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before.
Swan Mustang
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
VisionVortex
π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Married Man
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading.
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