Book description
"A searching, accessible, and often ecstatic book." -Wall Street Journal"Not many authors could find a way to interweave abstruse art theory with discussions of squid and their glorious "dynamic tattoos," elephants who paint, and Paleolithic cave art, but Rothenberg succeeds, with this entertaining wander through the world of art and the places where it intersects science." -Publishers Weekly"[a] bravura investigation..with verve, multidiscipline fluency, and an encompassing vision, Rothenberg accomplishes his mission to change the way we perceive and understand the intertwining of natural evolution and human cultural evolution, beauty and life, art and science." -Booklist (starred)"The colour blue rules for the male satin bowerbird of Australia. The interior decorators of the avian world, they gather plastic, shells and feathers of that hue to adorn their meticulously built stick structures, all to lure a potential mate. This is just one indication, argues philosopher and musician David Rothenberg, that beauty is not random but is intrinsic to life--and that evolution proceeds by sumptuousness, not by utility alone. Rothenberg covers topics such as camouflage, abstraction, the profound impact of art on science and much more to explore his theme." -Nature"A door-opener to new ideas and connective tissue in the skeleton of science, particularly biology and Darwin's theory of evolution. Chances are good you'll find Mr. Rothenberg's 'mad quest for some evidence of aesthetic ideas in the very way nature is put together' to be persuasive." -New York Journal of Books"Rothenberg is a learned and thoughtful guide across the realms of science and art." -Washington Independent Review of Books"[Rothenberg] seems uniquely qualified to be herald and interlocutor for the present convergence of biology and art." -Chronogram magazine"I have been waiting for a long time for a book like Survival of the Beautiful that suffers not a jot of art's inferiority complex in the age of science ... It's one terrific romp through the ineffable and embracing glory of the aesthetic experience." -Alison Hawthorne Deming, Orion"This is the triumphant lesson of Survival of the Beautiful: nature is not entirely red in tooth and claw, it also allows the beautiful right of passage." -Peter Forbes, The Guardian (UK)"Rothenberg's passionate optimism - a belief in the beauty of nature, and vice versa--together with his elegant prose turns Survival of the Beautiful into an exhilarating and thought-provoking trip." -Philip Hoare, The Telegraph (UK)"Survival of the Beautiful is a wild ride. At its heart is a wonderful wish: to make us see the stories and the beauty in everything from the warbles of flying cranes to the cries of crows, From the shape-shifting squid to the bower-building bird, to the elephant and to the cryptic moth, which hides beneath his drab wing-tops a flash of crimson red." -William Bryant Logan, Toronto Globe and Mail"Rothenberg comes to an inspired conclusion: Aesthetic selection introduces a new kind of randomness into nature that unites art and nature, man and beast." -Christopher Potter, Sunday Times of London"Survival of the Beautiful is not just a book about beauty, but a beautiful book. And also an important one, which moves the debate about the biology of aesthetics beyond the cozy fables of evolutionary psychology to probe the deep nature of art and its origins. Both provocative and generous, Rothenberg's work is pervaded with a sense of wonder at and appreciation of the world." -Philip Ball, author of Critical Mass and The Music Instinct"David Rothenberg is a brilliantly fun guide on a journey that takes us from bower birds to the neuroesthetics of Semir Zeki. Survival of the Beautiful is just about the best travel literature of the mind out there. With wit by turns gentle and sharp, Rothenberg shows us how art is shaped by animals, and by us." -Roald Hoffmann, chemist and writer, winner of the Nobel Prize in chemistry"The nerdy mindset of modernity often suffers allergic outbreaks when confronted with the softer side of cognition. Esthetic pleasures are then cordoned off from the serious core work of science. But David Rothenberg makes a convincing case that beauty is an intrinsic aspect of reality. He argues, among other things, that without modern art, modern science would have been hobbled by inadequately challenged cognitive habits. Beauty evolved. Perhaps we should take it seriously." -Jaron Lanier, author of You Are Not a Gadget"What I love about David Rothenberg's work is that he counteracts--with wit, poetry and philosophical subtlety--the prevailing tendency of most nature writers toward biological reductionism. While reporting on the latest scientific conjectures about beauty, human and inhuman, he shows that all our theories still fail to do justice to nature's unutterable strangeness." -John Horgan, author of Rational Mysticism and The End of Science"David Rothenberg is a rarity--an actual polymath--and his writing, like the music he plays, reveals an extraordinary mixture of curiosity, intelligence, and playfulness. Tracing complex ideas that link consciousness, human spirit, and creativity within the framework of Darwinian theory is the sort of book you would expect from a man who makes music with whales and cicadas. Where does the impetus for the making of art and music reside? How does that fit into an evolutionary scheme? Read this book, and enter into Rothenberg's world. You will be rewarded with a exploration of these questions that is both entertaining and revelatory." -David A. Ross, Director Emeritus, Whitney Museum of American Art"A fun, freewheeling discussion of the role of aesthetics in evolution and a celebration of the beauty to be found in the great diversity of life." -Kirkus jQuery(function() { jQuery( "#tabs" ).tabs(); });
Stud muffin
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literature. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. 📱📖
PixelPioneer
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Cosmo
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Innocent Ghost
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Bliss
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Combo Saw
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Sir Squire
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Mafia Rapunzel
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! Binaural audio processing is a game-changer – my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions.
Alpha
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
RealmRanger
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content.
Dallas Burn
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Noh Noh
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Shady Lady
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
LerveDr
Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Dr. WMD
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers.
Freaky Ratbuster
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
InfinityInsight
🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Tin Mutt
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
Manimal
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process – I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. 📱 My pocket-sized library – this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! 📚📱 Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach.
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