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.
Red Delicious
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient.
Devine Melon
With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move β it's like having a tutor by my side. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work!
Voodoo Queen
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable! This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Poptart AK47
ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Daffy Neo
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
Pogue
With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Bearded Angler
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. 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! This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Sly Bible
Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings.
BlackExcalibur
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Dahlia
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Bambi Wings
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
NoiseCake
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Plegasus
I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
TulipCake
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§
LuminaLore
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Free Ham
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§ ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Pinball Wizard
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Helmet Destroyer
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Juno Cream
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π
Undergrad Split
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ
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