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.
Shimmy Shammy
I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
Noisy Girl
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
ThoughtTrail
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. 💡 This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! 📱👩🍳 ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Liquid Science
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. 🌟 Adding excitement to everyday tasks – this app is my partner in productivity! 📚🚀 Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Con Mammoth
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Saturn Extreme
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. 🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 📚 The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. 📱📖 I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Freak
The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Nacho
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
ReiGnZ
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
21st Street
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Shy Warrior
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. 💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! 📖📱
Freeway
Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Hyper Kong
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active.
White Dragon
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
High Heel Goddess
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
CuriousCraft
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content.
Burst Nibbler
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings.
Achilles Mountain
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone.
DanimalDaze
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces – this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. 📱🔊 ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Engine Eye
📚 Turning my phone into a portal of stories – this app's ease of use is remarkable! 📱💫 Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
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