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.
Curio
I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
xFRST
ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side.
Moon Cricket
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
RZR
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Master Jetson
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is a game-changer.
Hemlock
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Electric Player
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Wild Tesla
ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal – unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. 🎉📚 Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
JK Friend
Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities.
Twinkle
ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. I’ve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Lskeee
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app! 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! This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Twinkle
I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app! ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Trash Sling
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. 🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Cougar Fuzz
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive.
Tomcat
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Neophyte Believer
🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Firefly
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
Frosty Snazz
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Heavenly Connection
Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
Mud Eye
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. 📱 An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts – it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! 📚💡
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