Book description
An eye-opening account of life inside North Korea--a closed world of increasing global importance--hailed as a "tour de force of meticulous reporting" (The New York Review of Books) NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST - NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST In this landmark addition to the literature of totalitarianism, award-winning journalist Barbara Demick follows the lives of six North Korean citizens over fifteen years--a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim Il-sung, the rise to power of his son Kim Jong-il (the father of Kim Jong-un), and a devastating famine that killed one-fifth of the population. Demick brings to life what it means to be living under the most repressive regime today--an Orwellian world that is by choice not connected to the Internet, where displays of affection are punished, informants are rewarded, and an offhand remark can send a person to the gulag for life. She takes us deep inside the country, beyond the reach of government censors, and through meticulous and sensitive reporting we see her subjects fall in love, raise families, nurture ambitions, and struggle for survival. One by one, we witness their profound, life-altering disillusionment with the government and their realization that, rather than providing them with lives of abundance, their country has betrayed them. Praise for Nothing to Envy "Provocative . . . offers extensive evidence of the author's deep knowledge of this country while keeping its sights firmly on individual stories and human details."--The New York Times "Deeply moving . . . The personal stories are related with novelistic detail."--The Wall Street Journal "A tour de force of meticulous reporting."--The New York Review of Books "Excellent . . . humanizes a downtrodden, long-suffering people whose individual lives, hopes and dreams are so little known abroad."--San Francisco Chronicle "The narrow boundaries of our knowledge have expanded radically with the publication of Nothing to Envy. . . . Elegantly structured and written, [it] is a groundbreaking work of literary nonfiction."--John Delury, Slate "At times a page-turner, at others an intimate study in totalitarian psychology."--The Philadelphia Inquirer
Papa Smurf
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. No need to convert files anymore – ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me.
Bleeker
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
Centurion Sherman
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Despair
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Wild Hair
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. 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.
Elektrik
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Low Voltage
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Red Woman
ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Midnight Bat
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
Miss Nova
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Taz Ringer
Audiobooks made delightful – this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
RetroMirage
Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Green Scavenger
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition – I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Easy Street
I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process – I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Tokyo Dream
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Sly Bible
🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Mirage
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
Doll Champagne
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. 🏃♀️🌟 Experiencing stories while staying active – this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. 🎧🏞️ Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Lord Theus
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
Darkside Isis
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration.
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