Book description
Conceived in the Gilded Age, the Ferry Building opened in 1898 as San Francisco's portal to the world--the terminus of the transcontinental railway and a showcase of civic ambition. In silent films and World's Fair postcards, nothing said "San Francisco" more than its soaring clocktower.But as acclaimed architectural critic John King recounts in Portal, the rise of the automobile and double-deck freeways severed the city from its beloved structure and its waterfront--a connection that required generations to restore.King's narrative spans the rise and fall and rebirth of the Ferry Building. Rich with feats of engineering and civic imagination, his story introduces colorful figures who fought to preserve the Ferry Building's character (and the city's soul)--from architect Arthur Page Brown and legendary columnist Herb Caen to poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Senator Dianne Feinstein.In King's hands, the saga of the Ferry Building is a microcosm of a larger evolution along the waterfronts of cities everywhere. Portal traces the damage inflicted on historic neighborhoods and working dockyards by cars, highways, and top-down planning and "urban renewal." But when an earthquake destroyed the Embarcadero Freeway, city residents seized the chance to reclaim their connection to the bay. Transporting readers across 125 years of history, this tour de force explores the tensions impacting urban infrastructure and public spaces, among them tourism, deindustrialization, development, and globalization. Portal culminates with a rich portrait of San Francisco's vibrant esplanade today, visited by millions, even as sea level rise and earthquakes threaten a landmark that remains as vital as ever.A book for city lovers and visitors, architecture fans and pedestrians, Portal is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of San Francisco and the future of American cities.
Curio
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Silver Cup
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MythMaker
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Domino Combat
I can't get enough of this app β it's a true game-changer for book lovers. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else.
Fennel Dove
ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Twisty Freesia
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Fire Fish
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Drop Stone
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Knock Out Star
The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Poppin Loot
Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Twinkle Cocoa
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Miss Murder
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Lskeee
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. π Reading has never been this easy β this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. ππ«
Swampmasher
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length β I'm in! ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions.
Tokyo Dream
Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. 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.
Cali Yacht
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Bowie
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Troublemasher
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Criss Cross
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Blade
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
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