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(); });
Red Woman
🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 🎶📚 My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. 🎧🎶 Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧
Ba1t
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. 💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉 The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks.
The China Wall
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. 🌟 Adding excitement to each day – this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. 📚🚀 🏝️ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures – this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. ☀️📖 I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Junkyard Dog
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
Dance Bloom
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
Sapiens
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play – it's genius! ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
DreamDiver
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach.
Saber-RED
ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
DragonBlood
The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Spunky Sphinx
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content.
Ella of Light
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
General Finish
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized.
Knock Out Star
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging.
Nutmeg
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Flashpoint
I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance – it's like having a personal audiobook curator. 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.
NecroBull
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again.
Uncle Psycho
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏
Airport Hobo
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. 🏝️🎧 Packing for vacation just got better – this app is my getaway entertainment! 🌴📖 ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Engine Eye
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧 The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Rando Tank
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
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