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.
Combo Saw
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M8deUp
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. 🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖
Senior Smurf
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QuestWeaver
Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
SunVolt
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The Dude
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. 💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Clover Rabbit
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is a game-changer.
Prometheus
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Terror Master
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Killer Merlot
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Intimidation Station
This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. 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.
Scrapper
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧
Trash
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Mother Hen
Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. I’m 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!
Frenzy
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
Thunder Nut
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
Bones
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
RealmRanger
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧
Evil Smith
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app.
PixelPathfinder
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
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