Book description
A richly illustrated, encyclopedic deep dive into the history of roleplaying games. When Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson released Dungeons & Dragons in 1974, they created the first roleplaying game of all time. Little did they know that their humble box set of three small digest-sized booklets would spawn an entire industry practically overnight. In Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground, Stu Horvath explores how the hobby of roleplaying games, commonly known as RPGs, blossomed out of an unlikely pop culture phenomenon and became a dominant gaming form by the 2010s. Going far beyond D&D, this heavily illustrated tome covers more than three hundred different RPGs that have been published in the last five decades. Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground features (among other things) bunnies, ghostbusters, soap operas, criminal bears, space monsters, political intrigue, vampires, romance, and, of course, some dungeons and dragons. In a decade-by-decade breakdown, Horvath chronicles how RPGs have evolved in the time between their inception and the present day, offering a deep and gratifying glimpse into a hobby that has changed the way we think about games and play.
Winded On Friday
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else.
Swerve
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
The Flying Mouse
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. 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.
Crossing Guard
Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits.
Toy Town
Simplifying audiobook management – this app's functionality is a true asset. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend! Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
EchoEnigma
ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. 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.
Princess Dove
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life.
Mental Prophet
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
General Finish
This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. Audiobook excellence simplified – this app's functionality is a true delight. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Sweetness
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Betty Cricket
I'm hooked on this app – it's like Netflix for book lovers! 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖 Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
RoarSweetie
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. 📱 It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. 📚🔥 ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it!
Tse Tse Guy
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else.
Jack Cassidy
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly.
Apex
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
Duchess
The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Hermopolis
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
Twinkle Cutlass
Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖 AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Sun Leo
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Simplifying audiobook management – this app's functionality is a true asset. 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!
FrankenGrin
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward – thank you, app! 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.
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