Book description
Named a Top 10 Best Book of 2023 by Publishers Weekly - a national bestseller - a New York Times Editor's Choice pick "A contemporary writer of thrilling originality . . . The MANIAC is a work of dark, eerie and singular beauty." --The Washington Post "Darkly absorbing . . . A brooding, heady narrative that is addictively interesting." --Wall Street Journal From one of contemporary literature's most exciting new voices, a haunting story centered on the Hungarian polymath John von Neumann, tracing the impact of his singular legacy on the dreams and nightmares of the twentieth century and the nascent age of AI Benjamín Labatut's When We Cease to Understand the World electrified a global readership. A Booker Prize and National Book Award finalist, and one of the New York Times' Ten Best Books of the Year, it explored the life and thought of a clutch of mathematicians and physicists who took science to strange and sometimes dangerous new realms. In The MANIAC, Labatut has created a tour de force on an even grander scale. A prodigy whose gifts terrified the people around him, John von Neumann transformed every field he touched, inventing game theory and the first programable computer, and pioneering AI, digital life, and cellular automata. Through a chorus of family members, friends, colleagues, and rivals, Labatut shows us the evolution of a mind unmatched and of a body of work that has unmoored the world in its wake. The MANIAC places von Neumann at the center of a literary triptych that begins with Paul Ehrenfest, an Austrian physicist and friend of Einstein, who fell into despair when he saw science and technology become tyrannical forces; it ends a hundred years later, in the showdown between the South Korean Go Master Lee Sedol and the AI program AlphaGo, an encounter embodying the central question of von Neumann's most ambitious unfinished project: the creation of a self-reproducing machine, an intelligence able to evolve beyond human understanding or control. A work of beauty and fabulous momentum, The MANIAC confronts us with the deepest questions we face as a species.
DanimalDaze
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. 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!
VisionVortex
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design.
ButterQuest
📱 No more lugging around heavy books – this app brings the library to my phone! 📚📱 ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
RawSkills
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Bruh
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
VisionVortex
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
Buckshot
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 🚗📚 Turn traffic into a literary escape – this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. 🚗🎧 ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
Brick Mooch
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! The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Bazooka Har-de-har
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Cool Law Topping
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
Hitch Frenzy
I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
Heartbreaker
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Dewdrop Doll
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
Sun Leo
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver – no more losing my place in the story! Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
Scratch
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Racy Lion
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket – truly amazing! ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Wooden German
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
WonderWords
🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. 📱📖
Crazy Rox
⭐️ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures – this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! 👚🎧 📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Texas Butterfly
🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable.
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