Book description
"Brave and nuanced...an act of tremendous compassion and a literary triumph." --The New York Times "Immensely emotional and unforgettably haunting." --Wall Street Journal Acclaimed author Jonathan Rosen's haunting investigation of the forces that led his closest childhood friend, Michael Laudor, from the heights of brilliant promise to the forensic psychiatric hospital where he has lived since killing the woman he loved. A story about friendship, love, and the price of self-delusion, The Best Minds explores the ways in which we understand--and fail to understand--mental illness. When the Rosens moved to New Rochelle in 1973, Jonathan Rosen and Michael Laudor became inseparable. Both children of college professors, the boys were best friends and keen competitors, and, when they both got into Yale University, seemed set to join the American meritocratic elite. Michael blazed through college in three years, graduating summa cum laude and landing a top-flight consulting job. But all wasn't as it seemed. One day, Jonathan received the call: Michael had suffered a serious psychotic break and was in the locked ward of a psychiatric hospital. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Michael was still in the hospital when he learned he'd been accepted to Yale Law School, and still battling delusions when he decided to trade his halfway house for the top law school in the country. He not only managed to graduate, but after his extraordinary story was featured in The New York Times, sold a memoir for a large sum. Ron Howard bought film rights, completing the dream for Michael and his tirelessly supportive girlfriend Carrie. But then Michael, in the grip of an unshakeable paranoid fantasy, stabbed Carrie to death with a kitchen knife and became a front-page story of an entirely different sort. The Best Minds is Jonathan Rosen's brilliant and heartbreaking account of an American tragedy. It is a story about the bonds of family, friendship, and community; the promise of intellectual achievement; and the lure of utopian solutions. Tender, funny, and harrowing by turns, at times almost unbearably sad, The Best Minds is an extreme version of a story that is tragically familiar to all too many. In the hands of a writer of Jonathan Rosen's gifts and dedication, its significance will echo widely.
Crazy Eights
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Firefly Caramel
With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Silver Cup
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
BoomerBox
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ 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. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Twitch
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Pinball Esq
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight.
Twisty Freesia
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Whipsaw
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. π±π§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy.
Swedish Pixie
This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. I can't imagine my life without this app β it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient.
Skull Crusher
Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use.
Sly Bible
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again β it's a must-have. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Disco Thunder
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Corny
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Bat Magenta
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Jigsaw
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Abyss Tamer
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable. Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection.
Willow Dragon
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Dez North
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in!
WonderWords
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
ManManMan
Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§ The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
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