Book description
Bestselling author of Easy Riders, Raging Bulls and Down and Dirty Pictures, cultural critic Peter Biskind turns his eye toward the new golden age of television, sparked by the fall of play-it-safe network TV and the rise of boundary-busting cable, followed by streaming, which overturned both--based on exclusive, candid, and colorful interviews with executives, writers, showrunners, directors, and actorsWe are now lucky enough to be living through the era of so-called Peak TV, in which television, in its various guises and formats, has seized the entertainment mantle from movies and dominates our leisure time. How and why this happened is the subject of this book. Instead of focusing on one service, like HBO, Pandora's Box asks, "What did HBO do, besides give us The Sopranos?" The answer: It gave us a revolution. Biskind bites off a big chunk of entertainment history, following HBO from its birth into maturity, moving on to the basic cablers like FX and AMC, and ending up with the streamers and their wars, pitting Netflix against Amazon Prime Video, Max, and the killer pluses--Disney, Apple TV, and Paramount. Since the creative and business sides of TV are thoroughly entwined, Biskind examines both, and the interplay between them. Through frank and shockingly intimate interviews with creators and executives, Pandora's Box investigates the dynamic interplay of commerce and art through the lens the game-changing shows they aired--not only old warhorses like The Sopranos, but recent shows like The White Lotus, Succession, and Yellow- (both -stone and -jackets)--as windows into the byzantine practices of the players as they use money and guile to destroy their competitors. In the end, this book crystal-balls the future in light of the success and failures of the streamers that, after apparently clearing the board, now face life-threatening problems, some self-created, some not. With its long view and short takes--riveting snapshots of behind-the-scenes mischief--Pandora's Box is the only book you'll need to read to understand what's on your small screen and how it got there.
Heartbreaker
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable!
ForumFlare
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer.
Clover Rabbit
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Twitch
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
ThoughtTrailblazer
This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. 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.
Biscuit Meg
Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Phoenix Sparrow
🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
EchoExplorer
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Bowler
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story.
ByteBard
ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Goldman
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
Crash Enforcer
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening.
Heaven Sent
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Blackfire
ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Nutmeg
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Microwave
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues!
NeoGermal
🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧 Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Poppin Loot
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon.
Gov Skull
This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze.
Shady Lady
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
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