Book description
A New Yorker Best Book of the yearAn Esquire Best Nonfiction Book of 2022From Insomniac City author Bill Hayes, "who can tackle just about any subject in book form, and make you glad he did" (SF Chronicle)-a cultural, scientific, literary, and personal history of exercise, now in paperback.Exercise is our modern obsession, and we have the fancy workout gear and fads from HIIT to spin classes to hot yoga to prove it. Exercise-a form of physical activity distinct from sports, play, or athletics-was an ancient obsession, too, but as a chapter in human history, it's been largely overlooked. In Sweat, Bill Hayes runs, jogs, swims, spins, walks, bikes, boxes, lifts, sweats, and downward-dogs his way through the origins of different forms of exercise, chronicling how they have evolved over time, dissecting the dynamics of human movement. Hippocrates, Plato, Galen, Susan B. Anthony, Jack LaLanne, and Jane Fonda, among many others, make appearances in Sweat, but chief among the historical figures is Girolamo Mercuriale, a Renaissance-era Italian physician who aimed singlehandedly to revive the ancient Greek “art of exercising” through his 1569 book De arte gymnastica. Though largely forgotten over the past five centuries, Mercuriale and his illustrated treatise were pioneering, and are brought back to life in the pages of Sweat. Hayes ties his own personal experience-and ours-to the cultural and scientific history of exercise, from ancient times to the present day, giving us a new way to understand its place in our lives in the 21st century.
Kickstart
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream.
Bug Blitz
This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
RedFeet
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Back Bett
Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. 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.
VileHero
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. 👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Cabbie
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Sir Shove
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Killer Merlot
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Mr. Spy
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone.
WonderWords
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Station WMD
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner.
Bleach
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Rosie Bird
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal – unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining.
Frenzy
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Kamikaze Granny
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. 📱 Carrying my library in my pocket – this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! 📚👜 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Saturnalia
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Hex Panther
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Wild Hair
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
Goatee Shield
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
RiddleRover
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
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