Book description
From one of the world's most beloved writers and New York Times bestselling author of A Walk in the Woods and The Body, a vivid, nostalgic, and utterly hilarious memoir of growing up in the 1950s.Bill Bryson was born in the middle of the American century--1951--in the middle of the United States--Des Moines, Iowa--in the middle of the largest generation in American history--the baby boomers. As one of the best and funniest writers alive, he is perfectly positioned to mine his memories of a totally all-American childhood for 24-carat memoir gold. Like millions of his generational peers, Bill Bryson grew up with a rich fantasy life as a superhero. In his case, he ran around his house and neighborhood with an old football jersey with a thunderbolt on it and a towel about his neck that served as his cape, leaping tall buildings in a single bound and vanquishing awful evildoers (and morons)--in his head--as "The Thunderbolt Kid." Using this persona as a springboard, Bill Bryson re-creates the life of his family and his native city in the 1950s in all its transcendent normality--a life at once completely familiar to us all and as far away and unreachable as another galaxy. It was, he reminds us, a happy time, when automobiles and televisions and appliances (not to mention nuclear weapons) grew larger and more numerous with each passing year, and DDT, cigarettes, and the fallout from atmospheric testing were considered harmless or even good for you. He brings us into the life of his loving but eccentric family, including affectionate portraits of his father, a gifted sportswriter for the local paper and dedicated practitioner of isometric exercises, and of his mother, whose job as the home furnishing editor for the same paper left her little time for practicing the domestic arts at home. The many readers of Bill Bryson's earlier classic, A Walk in the Woods, will greet the reappearance in these pages of the immortal Stephen Katz, seen hijacking literally boxcar loads of beer. He is joined in the Bryson gallery of immortal characters by the demonically clever Willoughby brothers, who apply their scientific skills and can-do attitude to gleefully destructive ends. Warm and laugh-out-loud funny, and full of his inimitable, pitch-perfect observations, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is as wondrous a book as Bill Bryson has ever written. It will enchant anyone who has ever been young.
Prez Dog
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
ZenZone
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Biscuit Meg
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience.
Sienna Princess
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
East Army
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. 🎙️ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt – what a game-changer! 🛒📚 Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Leaf Assassin
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Crumb Cake
I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Reno Monarch
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. 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. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Morbid Angel
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. 🚶♂️🌟 Staying entertained during leisurely walks – audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! 🚶♂️🎧 ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Engine Eye
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Aqua Monsoon
ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Pearl Girl
ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Snow Hound
This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. 🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Nessie
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me!
ForumFlare
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my passport to countless stories. 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. 📚🎧
Don Stab
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Palomino
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. 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! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Old Regret
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Stud
Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Hoover Spark
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free.
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