Book description
The letters of one of the greatest observers of the human species, revealing his passion for life and work, friendship and art, medicine and society, and the richness of his relationships with friends, family, and fellow intellectuals over the decades, collected here for the first time Dr. Oliver Sacks--who describes himself in these pages as a "philosophical physician" and a "neuropathological Talmudist"--wrote letters throughout his life: to his parents and his beloved Auntie Len, to friends and colleagues from London, Oxford, California, and around the world. The letters begin with his arrival in America as a young man, eager to establish himself away from the confines of postwar England, and carry us through his bumpy early career in medicine and the discovery of his writer's voice; his weight-lifting, motorcycle-riding years and his explosive seasons of discovery with the patients who populate his book Awakenings; his growing interest in matters of sight and the musical brain; his many friendships and exchanges with writers, artists, and scientists (to say nothing of astronauts, botanists, and mathematicians), and his deep gratitude for all these relationships at the end of his life. Sensitively introduced and edited by Kate Edgar, Sacks's longtime editor, the letters deliver a portrait of Sacks as he wrestles with the workings of the brain and mind. We see, through his eyes, the beginnings of modern neuroscience, following the thought processes of one of the great intellectuals of our time, whose words, as evidenced in these pages, were unfailingly shaped with generosity and wonder toward other people.
About the Author
OLIVER SACKS spent more than fifty years working as a neurologist and writing essays about the neurological predicaments of his patients. His articles appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, and The New York Times, which referred to him as "the poet laureate of medicine." His many bestselling books, including The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Musicophilia, and Awakenings, have been translated into dozens of languages and enchanted millions of readers. Dr. Sacks was profiled by the filmmaker Ric Burns in the PBS American Masters film Oliver Sacks His Own Life, and his book Awakenings inspired the Hollywood film starring Robert De Niro and Robin Williams.
Zero Corn
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ πΆββοΈπ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure β I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ποΈπ The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist!
Noh Noh
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Plum Moon
I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Green Ghost
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
Gentle Avenger
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind β and this app is my partner in crime. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³ ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true.
Lightweight
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move β it's like having a tutor by my side. π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ
PixelPioneer
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Rando Tank
Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Swedish Twizz
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ
Kamikaze Granny
Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation. This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³ The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Wild Kitten
πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Predator
ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. πββοΈπ§ I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Doz Killer
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it! The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
1st Degree
Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Mad Irishman
πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Gold Bentley
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. π Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner β this app adds flavor to every meal! π²π Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings.
Bearded Angler
This app has reignited my passion for literature β I'm devouring books like never before. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner.
Brick Mooch
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Shadow Gal
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance β it's a must-have for any reader.
Night Train
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts.
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