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.
Snake Eyes
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Snake Eyes
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
Shwatson
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset.
Fl00d
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph.
Nacho
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition – I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! This app has brought the magic of books back into my life.
Necromancer
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment.
Thunder Tank
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles!
Frosty Snazz
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. 🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫
Marshmallow
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. 💡 Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks – this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. 📱📖 Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Truth
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚
RealmRanger
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic.
Silver Cup
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
K-9
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. 📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️ The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Dance Bloom
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. 🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧 ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment.
RiddleRanger
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Morbid Sugar
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking.
Baby Brown
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. 🎉🎧
CyberScribe
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Pinup Diva
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic.
Rosie Bird
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. 📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
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