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.
Washer
Audiobooks made delightful – this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Engine Eye
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
LerveDr
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute. 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.
Jack Cassidy
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
AirportHobo XD
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. 🎶 Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! 🎶📖 Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Crumb Cake
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. 🌟 Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? 🚗📖 ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Spoiler
ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
Wonder Lady
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
Bambi Wings
💪 Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features – audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! 💼🎧 The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Iron Butterfly
Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app!
Judge
ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
Slinger
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Fiend Oblivion
Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨
Cougar Fuzz
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset.
CuriousCoder
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Iron Jesus
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook has given me the gift of time – turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Twin Blaze
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. 💃 Dancing through chores with audiobooks – this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! 🎶📚 With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Bliss
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Earl of Arms
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Dallas Foxface
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
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