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 canapΓ© 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.
Cosmo
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights β I'm never without a good story. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Crazy Rox
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience.
Freeway
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨
Dove Dolce
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure!
Sleek Zelda
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination.
RealmRanger
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Nice Gnome
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Bliss
The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis.
Wild Tesla
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
Daffy Girl
πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch.
StorySculptor
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls β it's a joy to navigate. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise.
Athena Star
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ
Flint Cast-Iron
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection.
Mental
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
Black Mustard
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Hella Fella
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. No more hassle with formats β this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening.
Canine Hannibal
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. I'm addicted to this app β it's like having a library in my pocket. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless.
D-Hog-Day
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app makes each day a new adventure! ππ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
Night Magnet
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it!
Legacy
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks.
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