Book description
In the first portrait of James Beard in twenty-five years, John Birdsall accomplishes what no prior telling of Beard's life and work has done: He looks beyond the public image of the Dean of American Cookery to give voice to the gourmet's complex, queer life and, in the process, illuminates the history of American food in the twentieth century. At a time when stuffy French restaurants and soulless Continental cuisine prevailed, Beard invented something strange and new: the notion of an American cuisine.Informed by previously overlooked correspondence, years of archival research, and a close reading of everything Beard wrote, this majestic biography traces the emergence of personality in American food while reckoning with the outwardly gregarious Beard's own need for love and connection, arguing that Beard turned an unapologetic pursuit of pleasure into a new model for food authors and experts.Born in Portland, Oregon, in 1903, Beard would journey from the pristine Pacific Coast to New York's Greenwich Village by way of gay undergrounds in London and Paris of the 1920s. The failed actor-turned-Manhattan canapé hawker-turned-author and cooking teacher was the jovial bachelor uncle presiding over America's kitchens for nearly four decades. In the 1940s he hosted one of the first television cooking shows, and by flouting the rules of publishing would end up crafting some of the most expressive cookbooks of the twentieth century, with recipes and stories that laid the groundwork for how we cook and eat today.In stirring, novelistic detail, The Man Who Ate Too Much brings to life a towering figure, a man who still represents the best in eating and yet has never been fully understood--until now. This is biography of the highest order, a book about the rise of America's food written by the celebrated writer who fills in Beard's life with the color and meaning earlier generations were afraid to examine.
IceDog
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Breadmaker
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
ByteBard
No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities. ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
CuriousCraft
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise.
Dora the Destroyer
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Ladysmith
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Noh Noh
Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! 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.
Unleashed
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. 💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks!
Sprinkle Lovenuts
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Silver Cup
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Winter Underdog
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
QuestQuill
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
RealmRanger
⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 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.
Moon Peaches
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
MythMaker
ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Fennel Dove
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! 📖📱 Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Junkyard Dog
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for.
Upper D3ckR
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature!
Broomspun
Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖 ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
FRMhndshk
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
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