Book description
"The only Lou Reed bio you need to read." --The Washington Post"There have been many biographies of Lou Reed, but Will Hermes has written the definitive life . . . He has brought to the assignment a sharp eye, a clear head, a lucid prose style, and a determination to let Lou be Lou, without judgment." --Lucy Sante, author of Low LifeThe most complete and penetrating biography of the rock master, whose stature grows every year.Since his death ten years ago, Lou Reed's living presence has only grown. The great rock-poet presided over the marriage of Brill Building pop and the European avant-garde, and left American culture transfigured. In Lou Reed: The King of New York, Will Hermes offers the definitive narrative of Reed's life and legacy, dramatizing his long, brilliant, and contentious dialogue with fans, critics, fellow artists, and assorted habitués of the demimonde. We witness Reed's complex partnerships with David Bowie, Andy Warhol, John Cale, and Laurie Anderson; track the deadpan wit, street-smart edge, and poetic flights that defined his craft as a singer and songwriter with the Velvet Underground and beyond; and explore the artistic ambition and gift for self-sabotage he took from his mentor Delmore Schwartz. As Hermes follows Reed from Lower East Side cold-water flats to the landmark status he later achieved, he also tells the story of New York City as a cultural capital. The first biographer to draw on the New York Public Library's much-publicized Reed archive, Hermes employs the library collections, the release of previously unheard recordings, and a wealth of recent interviews to give us a new Lou Reed--a pioneer in living and writing about nonbinary sexuality and gender identity, a committed artist who pursued beauty and noise with equal fervor, and a turbulent and sometimes truculent man whose emotional imprint endures.
London Fox
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. 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.
Prometheus
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
Athens Fire
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences.
Tan Stallion
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X-Dew
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. User-friendly audiobook experience – this app's design is a standout. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
Ella of Light
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
InsightfulInk
This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
DragonBlood
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. 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! Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Sugar Man
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time.
RiddleRover
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature!
Golden Cougar
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine.
Pecan Oblivion
Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Demand Chopper
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Drift
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. This app has revolutionized my daily routine – I can't imagine life without it. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel.
StormCake
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. 📱 Carrying my library in my pocket – this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! 📚👜
Chlorine
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. Finally, an app that values usability – navigating and listening is a breeze!
Diamond Gamer
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? ⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧
Super Flick
This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. 🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Sokol
This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Bleachers
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
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