Book description
Named a Best Book of the Year by The New Yorker and The Boston Globe An authoritative, illuminating, and deeply humane history of addiction--a phenomenon that remains baffling and deeply misunderstood despite having touched countless lives--by an addiction psychiatrist striving to understand his own family and himself "Carl Erik Fisher's The Urge is the best-written and most incisive book I've read on the history of addiction. In the midst of an overdose crisis that grows worse by the hour and has vexed America for centuries, Fisher has given us the best prescription of all: understanding. He seamlessly blends a gripping historical narrative with memoir that doesn't self-aggrandize; the result is a full-throated argument against blaming people with substance use disorder. The Urge is a propulsive tour de force that is as healing as it is enjoyable to read." --Beth Macy, author of Dopesick Even after a decades-long opioid overdose crisis, intense controversy still rages over the fundamental nature of addiction and the best way to treat it. With uncommon empathy and erudition, Carl Erik Fisher draws on his own experience as a clinician, researcher, and alcoholic in recovery as he traces the history of a phenomenon that, centuries on, we hardly appear closer to understanding--let alone addressing effectively. As a psychiatrist-in-training fresh from medical school, Fisher was soon face-to-face with his own addiction crisis, one that nearly cost him everything. Desperate to make sense of the condition that had plagued his family for generations, he turned to the history of addiction, learning that the current quagmire is only the latest iteration of a centuries-old story: humans have struggled to define, treat, and control addictive behavior for most of recorded history, including well before the advent of modern science and medicine. A rich, sweeping account that probes not only medicine and science but also literature, religion, philosophy, and public policy, The Urge illuminates the extent to which the story of addiction has persistently reflected broader questions of what it means to be human and care for one another. Fisher introduces us to the people who have endeavored to address this complex condition through the ages: physicians and politicians, activists and artists, researchers and writers, and of course the legions of people who have struggled with their own addictions. He also examines the treatments and strategies that have produced hope and relief for many people with addiction, himself included. Only by reckoning with our history of addiction, he argues--our successes and our failures--can we light the way forward for those whose lives remain threatened by its hold. The Urge is at once an eye-opening history of ideas, a riveting personal story of addiction and recovery, and a clinician's urgent call for a more expansive, nuanced, and compassionate view of one of society's most intractable challenges.
Liquid Death
Seamless integration of audiobooks โ this app's ease of use is impressive. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Round Kick Boomer
This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine โ it's a habit I cherish. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Saber-RED
This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. ๐ An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures โ count me in! ๐งน๐ ๐ Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ๐๐ ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Feline Devil
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading.
Iron Butterfly
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Staying entertained during leisurely walks โ audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง
Sun Leo
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. ๐๏ธ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures โ this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. โ๏ธ๐ ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
The Beekeeper
ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnโt blown away. The narratorโs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Napoleonic Haze
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Sprinkle Lovenuts
The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere.
Highlander Monk
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights โ I'm never without a good story. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines โ it's pure bliss. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment.
QuantumQuill
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls โ it's a joy to navigate. Audiobook immersion made simple โ this app's ease of use is commendable. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
1st Degree
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales โ walking never felt this magical! ๐๏ธ๐ The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iโve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Hoboken Nightingale
I can't imagine a day without this app โ it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. I love how I can create playlists. Itโs perfect for organizing my books. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Bambi Benz
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. ListenBookโs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. The app is so well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Sly Silvermoon
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Sneaky Lady
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. ๐๏ธ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level โ audiobooks make it an adventure! ๐๐ The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donโt have the time.
Chew Chew
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ๐ผ Enhancing work-from-home productivity โ audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. ๐ป๐ ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. 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!
Betty Cricket
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
Instant Star
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
InsightfulInk
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. ๐ Simplifying my reading routine โ this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. ๐โจ
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