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.
Roma Kabuki
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! ListenBookβs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Eight Patrol
This app is a time-saver β I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ππ§ Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Kabuki
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Mad Robin
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. 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
ShadowFax
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic β what a win! ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Twiddle Twix
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
NexusNomad
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. π§ Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs β this app has it all! ππΌ Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories β this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. π±π§ ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits.
HighBomber
π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
NexusNavigator
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Delicious Wing
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's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Psycho Thinker
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Alley Frog
Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook!
Venious
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Voodoo Queen
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable.
Darth 44
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. ποΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. πΆπ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
Microwave
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
SpellTansy
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
SmartieQuest
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Ice
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Ba1t
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
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