Book description
They say to never meet your heroes. Brad Balukjian doesn't listen. From the bestselling author of The Wax Pack, comes another eye-opening road trip adventure into a pocket of massively popular pop culture--professional wrestling--starring the Iron Sheik, Hulk Hogan, Tito Santana, and many more larger-than-life characters of the WWF of the 1980s. In 2005, Brad Balukjian left his dream job as a magazine fact-checker to pursue another dream: partner with his childhood hero, The Iron Sheik (whose real name is Khosrow Vaziri), to write his biography. Things quickly went terribly wrong, culminating in the Sheik threatening Balukjan's life. Now seventeen years later, Balukjian returns to the road in search of not only a reunion with the Sheik, but something much bigger: truth in a world built on illusion. He seeks out six of the Sheik's contemporaries, fellow witnesses to the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) explosion in the mid-80s, along with the man driving the ship, Vince McMahon, to unearth their true identities. As Balukjian drives 12,525 miles around the country, we revisit the heady days when these avatars of strength, villainy, and heroism first found fame and see where their journeys took them. Balukjian plumbs their lives outside the ring, uncovering the pain of the inevitable transformation into their ring personas as myth merged with reality. From working out with Tony Atlas (Tony White) to visiting Hulk Hogan's (Terry Bollea) karaoke bar, we see where these men are now and how they have navigated the cliffs of fame. The Six Pack is fascinating for its humor, honesty, and clear-eyed look at the spectacle of sports entertainment. Balukjian combines the spirit of a fan with the rigor of an investigative reporter, tracking down former WWF employees who have never spoken publicly on the company's inner workings. But what makes this book so compelling is the humanity beneath each wrestler. Wrestling is perceived as a subculture, a sideshow without a cultural home, somewhere between sport and dance and theater and improv. It is often dismissed by the elites as low-brow, silly, and simplistic. But ironically, an industry built on illusion is underlain by radical truth, and is arguably among our most democratic forms of entertainment. The Iron Sheik, Hulk Hogan, and the rest of the cast were not pieces on a game board or characters in a comic book movie. They were real people, with families and feelings and bodies that could break. Most of them did, in fact, break; some have been repaired, but none of them will ever be the same.
Zod
I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π
Icy Avenger
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Alias Stick
This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Moon Solitaire
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Trip
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
WonderWords
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Spooky Electric
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π
Morbid Angel
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. ππ A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
CosPlatoon
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential!
Dez
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Racy Lady
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Roller Turtle
ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers!
Mechani-Man
Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Coldy
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience.
Pink Hopper
π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Vixen
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets! Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
StormCake
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's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Girl Brownie
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Bad Badminton
This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Mud Eye
With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. Simplifying audiobook management β this app's functionality is a true asset. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. 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.
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