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.
Stud Buster
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Widow Curio
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. 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!
Sky Dahlia
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Cosmic Presence
Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Killer Grenade
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Bug Fire
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
Low Menace
The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. 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.
Sienna Princess
π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive.
Bambi Wings
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs.
Shadow Gal
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodβwhat a creative addition! Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Nibbler
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
Miss Murder
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver!
ShadowFax
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. 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!
Silver Agent
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
Blackfire
ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Hoover Spark
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Tokyo Dream
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. ListenBookβs design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use.
Indigo Red
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Pitfall Whiskers
πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π The app is worth every penny. Itβs packed with features and works flawlessly.
AxelRoad
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface β it's a true delight. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
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