Book description
You finally buy the audiobook version of The Black Swan, brimming with confidence that this will be your secret weapon against life's chaos. You imagine Taleb's voice-sharp, slightly impatient, dripping with that "I told you so" energy-guiding you to spot the next Google or 9/11 before it happens. You're ready to monetize unpredictability. Spoiler: You're about to be profoundly, hilariously wrong.
Because Taleb's actual point isn't "How to predict black swans." It's "Why you're wasting your time trying." He spends the entire book screaming into the void: Stop pretending you see the future! You buy the audiobook thinking it's a crystal ball, but it's really a sledgehammer to your overconfidence. The guy who wrote "The most prophetic voice of all" (GQ, bless them) is literally saying, "Your 'prophetic' predictions are just stories you tell yourself after the fact, like blaming your cat for the stock market crash." The Financial Times called it "hugely enjoyable"-and it is, if you enjoy being gently, relentlessly mocked for your human frailty.
Taleb's genius is in the irony: a book about not understanding the world gets devoured as a manual for understanding it. You'll catch yourself nodding along to his tales of how we all misread history, only to realize you're doing it right now while listening to the audiobook. The "bonus PDF" they mention? That's just the footnote you'll ignore while trying to screenshot the "aha!" moment that doesn't exist. Taleb's whole thesis: we're all idiots who think we're smart because we've survived the last few black swans (like not getting hit by a bus this week), when in reality, we're just lucky survivors clutching at straws.
He's got a point: we're hardwired to simplify. So we turn "random, world-shattering event" into "obvious, predictable trend." The book's second edition adds "On Robustness and Fragility"-which basically means, "Stop trying to be a prophet. Build a life that laughs when chaos hits." But you'll ignore that part too, because obviously you're going to use this to time the stock market. (Taleb's audiobook tone at this point: sigh.)
It's a masterpiece of irony. The book itself is a black swan-unexpected, massively influential, and utterly ignored by the very people who need it most. Because how could you listen to Taleb's voice saying, "You're not special," while still believing your 2024 predictions will work better than your 2023 ones? You won't. You'll just sit there, nodding, as he exposes your delusion. And that's the real black swan: realizing your entire life is a story you made up after the fact. Now go listen to it. But don't expect to understand it. That's the point. The universe is a black swan, and you're just the guy who thought he'd finally cracked the code. (Taleb's voice, dryly, in your ear: "You're welcome.")
Twisty Freesia
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Lumberyard
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Drift
π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Mr. Fabulous
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Bit Sentinel
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Electric Saturn
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
JigKraken
π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session.
Emerald Vine
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Eye Devil
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Midnight Bat
The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Nessie
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! πββοΈπ The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go.
Popeye Wipeout
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
Apex
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itβs the best audiobook app Iβve used.
Tomcat
ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Sassy Muffin
π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π« Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Microwave Chardonnay
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§
Thumb Candy
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
RightN0w2
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ
BloodEater
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Purity Catnip
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
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