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.
Shady Lady
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Succubus In Training
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Accidental Genius
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Stud
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Father Abbot
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed β it's my form of meditation. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Heavenly Connection
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Fire Feline
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
Tangerine
ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Feral Filly
Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional.
Rusty Vortex
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Midnight Bat
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Mindless Bobcat
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Armed Hawk
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Gothic Gucci
The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Racy Lady
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. Audiobook immersion without complications β this app's ease of use is commendable. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Wolf Tribune
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Jo Jo Spooky
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Prone
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π
Gentle Avenger
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Sand Whiskers
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ
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