Book description
Deep in the hills of Appalachia, anti-android sentiment is building. Charismatic demagogue Eli Whitaker has used anger toward new labor policies that replace factory workers with androids to build a militia-and now he is recruiting child soldiers. Part of a governmental task force, Adrian and Trey are determined to put a stop to Whitaker's efforts. Their mission is complicated by their own shared childhood experiences with Whitaker. After an automated soldier shoots a child during a raid to protect Trey, both grapple with the role of androids and their use in combat. Interrelated with the hunt for Whitaker, farmers Shay and Ernst struggle after they discover their GMO crop seeds have failed and caused a deadly illness in Shay. To help manage, they hire android employees: Sarah as hospice, and AG-15 to work the now-toxic fields. The couple's relationship to the androids evolve as both humans get progressively more sick. Timely and chilling, Wagner's non-linear debut shares intimate narratives of loss, trauma, and survival as the emergence of artificial life intersects with state violence and political extremism in rural Appalachia.SynopsisThe emergence of artificial life intersects with state violence and political extremism in Erin K. Wagner's rural Appalachia, where startlingly intimate portraits of survival and empathy bloom against a stark backdrop of loss. September, 2060: Adrian Hall, acting director of the ATF, is holding a press conference. Yes, Eli Whitaker, anti-android demagogue, remains at large, and yes, he is recruiting children into his militia -- Adrian is careful not to use the word army. She is careful all the way through the conference, right up until someone asks her about her personal connection to Whitaker; about Trey Caudill, his foster son. July, 2058: Farmers Shay and Ernst, struggling after they discover their GMO crop seeds have failed, hire android employees: Sarah as hospice, and AG-15 to work the now-toxic fields. Under one roof, four lives intertwine in ways no one expects. July, 2060: Special Agent Trey Caudill is leading a raid on Eli Whitaker's farm when an android, call sign Ora, shoots and kills a child. March, 2061: Ora sits in a room. He has been there for seven months, resisting diagnostic tests. He is drawing on the walls, scratching his artificial skin, tracing something over and over and over again with a tired metallic finger. There is nothing wrong with his circuitry, so why does Ora feel so broken? Unflinching yet understated, making expert use of its nonlinear form, Mechanize My Hands to War is at once a study of grief and an ode to the power of self-determination.Synopsis"Wagner wows in this nuanced look at the implications of AI on humanity...sharply imagined and all too plausible." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) The emergence of artificial life intersects with state violence and political extremism in Erin K. Wagner's rural Appalachia, where startlingly intimate portraits of survival and empathy bloom against a stark backdrop of loss. September, 2060: Adrian Hall, acting director of the ATF, is holding a press conference. Yes, Eli Whitaker, anti-android demagogue, remains at large, and yes, he is recruiting children into his militia -- Adrian is careful not to use the word army. She is careful all the way through the conference, right up until someone asks her about her personal connection to Whitaker; about Trey Caudill, his foster son. July, 2058: Farmers Shay and Ernst, struggling after they discover their GMO crop seeds have failed, hire android employees: Sarah as hospice, and AG-15 to work the now-toxic fields. Under one roof, four lives intertwine in ways no one expects. July, 2060: Special Agent Trey Caudill is leading a raid on Eli Whitaker's farm when an android, call sign Ora, shoots and kills a child. March, 2061: Ora sits in a room. He has been there for seven months, resisting diagnostic tests. He is drawing on the walls, scratching his artificial skin, tracing something over and over and over again with a tired metallic finger. There is nothing wrong with his circuitry, so why does Ora feel so broken? Unflinching yet understated, making expert use of its nonlinear form, Mechanize My Hands to War is at once a study of grief and an ode to the power of self-determination.
Marigold Loot
๐ถ๐ Replacing tunes with stories โ my house is alive with the sound of narration! ๐ง๐ 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.
Domino Combat
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook.
Poppy Coffee
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys โ thank you, app! ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
MysticMingle
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. I can't imagine a day without this app โ it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Tough Nut
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ๐ผ Making every minute count โ this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. ๐ฑ๐
Curio
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. The narrators on this app are truly talented โ they bring characters to life. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Grave Scuttlebutt
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ ๐ง Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly โ this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ๐๐ Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. 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.
ZenaCake
I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! 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 featureโit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Station WMD
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences โ a thoughtful feature. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. ๐๐ This app has rekindled my love for books โ I can't stop listening! ๐๐ง ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Walking my way through exciting narratives โ this app makes exercise more fun! ๐๏ธ๐ง ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures.
Gr8 Flick
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. ๐ง My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ๐๐ณ Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorโs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsโjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Toolmaker
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats.
Green Ghost
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! 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! I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Mental Prophet
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. This app has revolutionized my daily routine โ I can't imagine life without it. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
Suicide Crusher
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Houston
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Commando
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks โ it's truly invigorating.
ManMaker
The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Tweety Bun Bun
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience.
Despair
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences โ a thoughtful feature. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks โ this app is my travel companion! ๐๐ง The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster.
Fennel Dove
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available โ there's something for everyone. ๐ถ๐ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs โ this app is my go-to playlist! ๐ง๐ ๐ฑ Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward โ this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. ๐๐ซ
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