Book description
"A fascinating read about a true genius and his unrelenting thirst for beauty in art and in life."--MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld AwardBased on a decade of unprecedented research, the first major biography of George Balanchine, a broad-canvas portrait set against the backdrop of the tumultuous century that shaped the man The New York Times called "the Shakespeare of dancing"--from the bestselling author of Apollo's Angels New York Times Editors' Choice - Longlisted for the Biographers International Plutarch Award - ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, NPR, Oprah DailyArguably the greatest choreographer who ever lived, George Balanchine was one of the cultural titans of the twentieth century--The New York Times called him "the Shakespeare of dancing." His radical approach to choreography--and life--reinvented the art of ballet and made him a legend. Written with enormous style and artistry, and based on more than one hundred interviews and research in archives across Russia, Europe, and the Americas, Mr. B carries us through Balanchine's tumultuous and high-pitched life story and into the making of his extraordinary dances. Balanchine's life intersected with some of the biggest historical events of his century. Born in Russia under the last czar, Balanchine experienced the upheavals of World War I, the Russian Revolution, exile, World War II, and the Cold War. A co-founder of the New York City Ballet, he pressed ballet in America to the forefront of modernism and made it a popular art. None of this was easy, and we see his loneliness and failures, his five marriages--all to dancers--and many loves. We follow his bouts of ill health and spiritual crises, and learn of his profound musical skills and sensibility and his immense determination to make some of the most glorious, strange, and beautiful dances ever to grace the modern stage. With full access to Balanchine's papers and many of his dancers, Jennifer Homans, the dance critic for The New Yorker and a former dancer herself, has spent more than a decade researching Balanchine's life and times to write a vast history of the twentieth century through the lens of one of its greatest artists: the definitive biography of the man his dancers called Mr. B.
Vagabond Warrior
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
Spooky Yellowjacket
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Kill Switch
🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 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!
Winter Bite
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Moon Solitaire
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly.
Delirious Supernova
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Miss Mustard
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Eye Devil
This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Digital Goddess
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures.
Sugar Domino
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. 🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫 📱 Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories – this app is pure magic! 📚✨ 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥
Lady Killer
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Shady Prairie
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance – it's like having a personal audiobook curator. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊 The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Twin Blaze
Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Fast Draw
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Shamrock
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. 📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom!
Pompeii Unicorn
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience.
Flotsams54
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. Audiobooks on demand – this app's functionality is a true technological gem. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach.
Lskeee
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Rummy Stickers
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. 🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
RZRWRE
Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. 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.
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