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.
Twinkle
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content β it's a real game-changer. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
Vixen
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Duke Electro
I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits.
CosPlatoon
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Highway
Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ππ± ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion.
Knock Out Star
π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
DeathDancer
The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Storm Master
The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. 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.
QuestWeaver
Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
BlackExcalibur
ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ
Find It Girl
π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
The Flying Mouse
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Firefly
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iβm in the story.
Opulent Gamer
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Rooster
πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ Efficient audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is a revelation. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
DriftDetector
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
Classy Luck
πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Sky Trinity
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it! The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Nacho
π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go.
Lady Petal
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
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