Book description
Gorgeous young women in revealing poses; extravagant mansion parties packed with celebrities; a hot-tub grotto, elegant smoking jackets, and round rotating beds; the hedonistic pursuit of uninhibited sex-put these images together and a single name springs to mind: Hugh Hefner. From his spectacular launch of Playboy magazine and the dizzying expansion of his leisure empire to his recent television hit The Girls Next Door, the publisher has attracted public attention and controversy for decades. But how did a man who is at once socially astute and morally unconventional, part Bill Gates and part Casanova, also evolve into a figure at the forefront of cultural change?In Mr. Playboy, historian and biographer Steven Watts argues that, in the process of becoming fabulously wealthy and famous, Hefner has profoundly altered American life and values. Granted unprecedented access to the man and his enterprise, Watts traces Hef's life and career from his Midwestern, Methodist upbringing and the first publication of Playboy in 1953 through the turbulent sixties, self-indulgent seventies, reactionary eighties, and traditionalist nineties up to the present. He reveals that from the beginning Hefner believed he could overturn social norms and take America with him.Throughout this fascinating biography, Watts offers singular insights into the real man behind the flamboyant public persona. He shows Hefner's personal dichotomies-the pleasure seeker and the workaholic, the consort of countless Playmates and the genuine romantic, the family man and the Gatsby-like host of lavish parties at his Chicago and Los Angeles mansions who enjoys well-publicized affairs with numerous Playmates, the fan of life's simple pleasures who hobnobs with the Hollywood elite. Punctuated with descriptions and anecdotes of life at the Playboy Mansions, Mr. Playboy tells the compelling and uniquely American story of how one person with a provocative idea, a finger on the pulse of popular opinion, and a passion for his work altered the course of modern history.
Snapdragon
The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
DollFaceKillah
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion.
EchoEnigma
The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Spunky Comet
📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience.
GoldTouch
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Barbera Shift
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠
Chlorine
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks!
Dewdrop Doll
Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Psycho Thinker
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. 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.
RoarSweetie
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
Sloth
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Bad Beret
Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧
Gothic Slacker
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Red Delicious
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer. 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Darkside Isis
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning.
Fl00d
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. 🎧 My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. 📚🍳 I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Prof. Screw
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. 🏃♀️📚 Running with purpose – audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. 🏃♀️🎧 The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go.
RedFeet
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! 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!
Hang 11
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Deano
Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
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