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.
NoiseCake
I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Capital F
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content.
Romance Princess
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧 ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Darkside Orbit
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
MythMaker
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Freaky Ratbuster
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Scratch Man
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Breadmaker
Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Mad Irishman
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! 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.
Snow Hound
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Eerie
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Girl Brownie
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. The app is worth every penny. It’s packed with features and works flawlessly.
Hoboken Nightingale
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring!
TeederSmartie
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Murder Matter
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Renegade Slugger
Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Doz
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
Gamer Bean
The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Uncle Psycho
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey.
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