Book description
Ian Buruma explores the life and death of Baruch Spinoza, the Enlightenment thinker whose belief in freedom of thought and speech resonates in our own time A New Yorker "Best Book of 2024" Selection "An elegant, relevant biography of a vital thinker."-Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Baruch (Benedictus) Spinoza (1632-1677) was a radical free thinker who led a life guided by strong moral principles despite his disbelief in an all-seeing God. Seen by many-Christians as well as Jews-as Satan's disciple during his lifetime, Spinoza has been regarded as a secular saint since his death. Many contradictory beliefs have been attached to his name: rationalism or metaphysics, atheism or pantheism, liberalism or despotism, Jewishness or anti-Semitism. However, there is no question that he viewed freedom of thought and speech as essential to an open and free society. In this insightful account, the award-winning author Ian Buruma stresses the importance of the time and place that shaped Spinoza, beginning with the Sephardim of Amsterdam and followed by the politics of the Dutch Republic. Though Spinoza rejected the basic assumptions of his family's faith, and was consequently expelled from his Sephardic community, Buruma argues that Spinoza did indeed lead a Jewish life: a modern Jewish life. To Heine, Hess, Marx, Freud, and no doubt many others today, Spinoza exemplified how to be Jewish without believing in Judaism. His defense of universal freedom is as important for our own time as it was in his.
Shadow Chaser
The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Marbles
🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. 📖📱 ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Sick Saurus
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
Vicious Street
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's design is a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Mirage
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Crossing Guard
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. 🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! 📖📱
Highway
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Dr. Jam Man
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
Metal Lady
AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
DuckDuck
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Mint Ness
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile!
Thunder Tank
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Jack Cassidy
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Sleek Assassin
This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Bleachers
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
BlacKitten
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
CZR
CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Mum Mary
Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Armed Hawk
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Darth 44
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends – and they all love it! Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend!
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