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.
Lady Pomegranate
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps.
Jester
π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem!
Bugger
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true β from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Handsome
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic!
Night Magnet
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer.
InfinityInsight
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itβs the best audiobook app Iβve used.
Snapple Whistler
The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure!
GoldTouch
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
Coma Stalk
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight.
Riff Raff
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
3D Waffle
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! 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!
RedFisher
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. π± An entire library at my fingertips β this app is a book lover's dream come true! ππ Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ±
Mantis Queen
Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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!
Solo Kill
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks β this app has converted me! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Reed Lady
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
Devil Blade
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Knight Light
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Blink
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
MicroStar
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze β a true travel essential. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. Audiobooks on demand β this app's functionality is a true technological gem. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Flame OUT
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment.
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