Book description
From former NPR Moscow correspondent Gregory Feifer comes an incisive portrait that draws on vivid personal stories to portray the forces that have shaped the Russian character for centuries-and continue to do so today. Russians explores the seeming paradoxes of life in Russia by unraveling the nature of its people: what is it in their history, their desires, and their conception of themselves that makes them baffling to the West? Using the insights of his decade as a journalist in Russia, Feifer corrects pervasive misconceptions by showing that much of what appears inexplicable about the country is logical when seen from the inside. He gets to the heart of why the world's leading energy producer continues to exasperate many in the international community. And he makes clear why President Vladimir Putin remains popular even as the gap widens between the super-rich and the great majority of poor. Traversing the world's largest country from the violent North Caucasus to Arctic Siberia, Feifer conducted hundreds of intimate conversations about everything from sex and vodka to Russia's complex relationship with the world. From fabulously wealthy oligarchs to the destitute elderly babushki who beg in Moscow's streets, he tells the story of a society bursting with vitality under a leadership rooted in tradition and often on the edge of collapse despite its authoritarian power. Feifer also draws on formative experiences in Russia's past and illustrative workings of its culture to shed much-needed light on the purposely hidden functioning of its society before, during, and after communism. Woven throughout is an intimate, first-person account of his family history, from his Russian mother's coming of age among Moscow's bohemian artistic elite to his American father's harrowing vodka-fueled run-ins with the KGB. What emerges is a rare portrait of a unique land of extremes whose forbidding geography, merciless climate, and crushing corruption has nevertheless produced some of the world's greatest art and some of its most remarkable scientific advances. Russians is an expertly observed, gripping profile of a people who will continue challenging the West for the foreseeable future.
From former NPR Moscow correspondent Gregory Feifer comes an incisive portrait that draws on vivid personal stories to portray the forces that have shaped the Russian character for centuries-and continue to do so today. RUSSIANS explores the seeming paradoxes of life in Russia by unraveling the nature of its people: what is it in their history, their desires, and their conception of themselves that makes them baffling to the West? Using the insights of his decade as a journalist in Russia, Feifer corrects pervasive misconceptions by showing that much of what appears inexplicable about the country is logical when seen from the inside. He gets to the heart of why the world's leading energy producer continues to exasperate many in the international community. And he makes clear why President Vladimir Putin remains popular even as the gap widens between the super-rich and the great majority of poor. Traversing the world's largest country from the violent North Caucasus to Arctic Siberia, Feifer conducted hundreds of intimate conversations about everything from sex and vodka to Russia's complex relationship with the world. From fabulously wealthy oligarchs to the destitute elderly babushki who beg in Moscow's streets, he tells the story of a society bursting with vitality under a leadership rooted in tradition and often on the edge of collapse despite its authoritarian power. Feifer also draws on formative experiences in Russia's past and illustrative workings of its culture to shed much-needed light on the purposely hidden functioning of its society before, during, and after communism. Woven throughout is an intimate, first-person account of his family history, from his Russian mother's coming of age among Moscow's bohemian artistic elite to his American father's harrowing vodka-fueled run-ins with the KGB. What emerges is a rare portrait of a unique land of extremes whose forbidding geography, merciless climate, and crushing corruption has nevertheless produced some of the world's greatest art and some of its most remarkable scientific advances. RUSSIANS is an expertly observed, gripping profile of a people who will continue challenging the West for the foreseeable future.
Parallax Sugar
The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
InsightfulInk
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
RZR
Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Sky Trinity
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. πΌ Making every minute count β this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. π±π Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Crumb Cake
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. Download options are plenty β I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
Rosie Bird
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Hyper
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
White Dragon
User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Lilac Lizard
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Mammoth 2
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Show Off
This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a standout. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Light Lion
ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures.
Chew Chew
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Helmet Destroyer
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Kamikaze Granny
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
CuriousCrafter
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. π Reading has never been this easy β this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. ππ« π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it!
Emerald Vine
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort.
Rando Tank
I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion.
Ozzie Treat
Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§ CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
RiddleRanger
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§
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