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.
Earl of Arms
No more straining my eyes to read β now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
QuestQuill
This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use.
Star Jammer
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Dahlia
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
Sky Trinity
π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Zesty Dragon
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts.
Plenty Orange
ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
180
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Frenzy
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
Athena Star
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. No more worries about compatibility β ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ
D-Hog-Day
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books.
Athena Star
π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! 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«
Liquid Death
Audiobooks have never been this immersive β this app transports me to different worlds. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Lucky Martian
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features.
Lord Theus
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Night Magnet
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Cream
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! πββοΈπ Running with purpose β audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. πββοΈπ§ I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
ForumFlare
π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. 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.
Rummy Stickers
This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Delicious Cupid
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
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