Book description
One of Vogue's most anticipated books of 2023.A quintessentially American fashion narrative about the rise and fall of the first lifestyle brand, J.Crew, and what the company's fate means for the shifting landscape of the retail industry.Once upon a time, a no-frills J.Crew rollneck sweater held an almost mystical power--or at least it felt that way. The story of J.Crew is the story of the original "lifestyle brand," whose evolution charts a sea change in the way we dress, the way we shop, and who we aspire to be over the past four decades--all told through iconic clothes and the most riveting characters imaginable.In The Kingdom of Prep, seasoned fashion journalist Maggie Bullock tells J.Crew's epic story for the first time, bringing to life the deliciously idiosyncratic people who built a beloved brand, unpacking the complex legacy of prep--a subculture born on the 1920s campuses of the Ivy League--and how one brand rose to epitomize "American" style in two very different golden eras, and also eventually embodied the "retail apocalypse" that rocked the global fashion industry and left hollowed-out malls across the country.In a juicy business narrative rich with humor and insight, Bullock combines the colorful characters of The Devil Wears Prada, the business insight of Deluxe, and the nostalgia factor of True Prep, to chart J.Crew's origin story, its Obama-era heyday, and its brush-with-death decline through the stories of the mercurial characters who helmed the company. There is founder Arthur Cinader, who set out to sell the Ralph Lauren look for half the price, and his daughter Emily, who turned J.Crew into a new campus uniform, and then a temple to '90s minimalism. Then came ex-Gap CEO Mickey Drexler--the most renowned (and controversial) retailer of his generation--who took J.Crew to a never-before-seen peak, only to contribute to its financial disaster, and the brilliant designer Jenna Lyons, who rose from the anonymous ranks of a catalogue company to become a star in her own right, but burned so bright she left J.Crew in her shadow.Through extensive interviews with more than 100 J.Crew insiders and top industry experts, Bullock crafts an impossible-to-put-down, neon-glitter-sprinkled tale that traces the trajectory of American style, invites us into the inner sanctum of fashion's most bold-faced names, and weaves together the threads of style, finance, and culture like no other brand's story in our lifetime.
MysticMingle
πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Gullyway
βοΈ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time β multitasking made easy! π§ π§ π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Mrs. Voltage
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Sherwood Gladiator
β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
K-Tin Man
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Corny
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Snout Pixie
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ
JesterZilla
This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Heavenly Connection
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Midnight Bat
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Moon Solitaire
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
Queen Bee
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Suicide Jockey
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ
Mr. Alien
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content.
Despair
Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer. πΌ Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! π»π The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
Shade Nightman
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
Are Ess Tee
π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. π±π ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Helmet Destroyer
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Flash
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§ Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
Snow Hound
ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
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