Book description
A lively and provocative account of Bernard Mandeville and the work that scandalized and appalled his contemporaries-and made him one of the most influential thinkers of the eighteenth centuryIn 1714, doctor, philosopher and writer Bernard Mandeville published The Fable of the Bees, a humorous tale in which a prosperous hive full of greedy and licentious bees trade their vices for virtues and immediately fall into economic and societal collapse. Outrage among the reading public followed; philosophers took up their pens to refute what they saw as the fable's central assertion. How could it be that an immoral community thrived but the introduction of morality caused it to crash and burn? In Man-Devil, John Callanan examines Mandeville and his famous fable, showing how its contentious claim-that vice was essential to the economic flourishing of any society-formed part of Mandeville's overall theory of human nature. Mandeville, Callanan argues, was perfectly suited to analyze and satirize the emerging phenomenon of modern society-and reveal the gap between its self-image and its reality.Callanan shows that Mandeville's thinking was informed by his medical training and his innovative approach to the treatment of illness with both physiological and psychological components. Through incisive and controversial analyses of sexual mores, gender inequality, economic structures, and political ideology, Mandeville sought to provide a naturalistic account of human behavior-one that put humans in close continuity with animals. Aware that his fellow human beings might find this offensive, he cloaked his theories in fables, poems, anecdotes, and humorous stories. Mandeville mastered irony precisely for the purpose of making us aware of uncomfortable aspects of our deepest natures-aspects that we still struggle to acknowledge today.
Emerald Goddess
ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. 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!
Lady Petal
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy. I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Super Flick
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
DragonBlood
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. Audiobooks made simple – this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Darkside Hooker
ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Nacho
Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Twitch
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences.
Aqua Monsoon
Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Hyper
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. 🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
RiddleRanger
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Tootsie Killer
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
High Deck
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Gro
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise.
Sidewalk Enforcer
This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
LocKz
This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌 Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Mr. 44
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition! The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
VileHero
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Audiobooks made delightful – this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
Sokol
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Spunky Sphinx
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. 🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫 🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚 The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
PixelPilgrim
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
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