Book description
"An important book, brimming with insight."--Nicholas Evans, author of The Horse Whisperer A master craftsperson explores the ways in which working with our hands reveals the essence of both our humanity and our relationship with the natural, material world In our present age of computer-assisted design, mass production and machine precision, the traditional skills of the maker or craftsperson are hard to find. Yet the desire for well-made and beautiful objects from the hands (and mind) of a skilled artisan is just as present today as it ever has been. Whether the medium they work with is wood, metal, clay or something else, traditional makers are living links to the rich vein of knowledge and skills that defines our common human heritage. More than this, though, many of us harbor a deep and secret yearning to produce something - to build or shape, to imagine and create our own objects that are imbued not only with beauty and functionality, but with a story and, in essence, a spirit drawn from us. Nick Kary understands this yearning. For nearly four decades he has worked on commission to make fine, distinctive furniture and cabinets from wood, most of it sourced near his home, in the counties of South West England. During this time, he has been both a teacher and a student; one who is fascinated with the philosophy and practice of craft work of all kinds. In Material, Kary takes readers along with him to visit some of the places where modern artisans are preserving, and in some cases passing on, the old craft skills. His vivid descriptions and eye for detail make this book a rich and delightful read, and the natural and cultural history he imparts along the way provides an important context for understanding our own past and the roots of our industrial society. Personal, engaging, and filled with memorable people, landscapes and scenes, Material is a rich celebration of what it means to imagine and create, which in the end is the essence of being human, and native to a place. As Kary puts it, "Wood and words, trees and people, material and ethereal - it is here I love increasingly to dwell." Perfect for fans of The Hidden Life of Trees or Norwegian Wood, Material is a rich, inspiring read for woodworkers, potters, craftspeople, bibliophiles and anyone who enjoys working with their hands.
Whip 2T
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive.
RawSkills
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate β it's like they know my taste perfectly! The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment.
Doll Champagne
I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§ The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
VisionVortex
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Cumulo
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NeoGermal
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
High Woo
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Feral Filly
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable. 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.
Shimmy Shammy
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Lightweight
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Winded On Friday
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Wolf Tribune
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Delirium
Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
Sultan of Speed
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Blistered Outlaw
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General Broomdog
π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Snapple Whistler
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
MysticMingle
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app!
NexusNavigator
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. No need to convert files anymore β ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me!
Jester
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. πΌ Making every minute count β this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. π±π ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
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