Book description
The digital era is beset by distraction, and it feels like things are only getting worse. At times like these, the distant past beckons as a golden age of attention. We fantasize about escaping our screens. We dream of recapturing the quiet of a world with less noise. We imagine retreating into solitude and singlemindedness, almost like latter-day monks. But although we think of early monks as master concentrators, a life of mindfulness did not, in fact, come to them easily. As historian Jamie Kreiner demonstrates in The Wandering Mind, their attempts to stretch the mind out to God--to continuously contemplate the divine order and its ethical requirements--were all-consuming, and their battles against distraction were never-ending. Delving into the experiences of early Christian monks living in the Middle East, around the Mediterranean, and throughout Europe from 300 to 900 CE, Kreiner shows that these men and women were obsessed with distraction in ways that seem remarkably modern. At the same time, she suggests that our own obsession is remarkably medieval. Ancient Greek and Roman intellectuals had sometimes complained about distraction, but it was early Christian monks who waged an all-out war against it. The stakes could not have been higher: they saw distraction as a matter of life and death. Even though the world today is vastly different from the world of the early Middle Ages, we can still learn something about our own distractedness by looking closely at monks' strenuous efforts to concentrate. Drawing on a trove of sources that the monks left behind, Kreiner reconstructs the techniques they devised in their lifelong quest to master their minds--from regimented work schedules and elaborative metacognitive exercises to physical regimens for hygiene, sleep, sex, and diet. She captures the fleeting moments of pure attentiveness that some monks managed to grasp, and the many times when monks struggled and failed and went back to the drawing board. Blending history and psychology, The Wandering Mind is a witty, illuminating account of human fallibility and ingenuity that bridges a distant era and our own.
Tin Fox
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app.
Spider Fuji
ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
Club Nola
Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Jelly Momentum
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources.
Psycho Thinker
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Campfire Mama
I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Gov Skull
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. Audiobook excellence made simple β this app's functionality is a true asset. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Apex
βοΈ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ππ Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Hang 11
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives.
Lady Fantastic
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress.
Mother Hen
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive.
High Woo
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. π©βπ³ Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories β this app adds flavor to my meals! π³π§ π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
ByteBard
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
Greek Rifle
Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Twinkle
β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³ ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now!
Kamikaze Granny
This app's library is a treasure trove β I'm always discovering new favorites. π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
High Deck
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Fist Wizard
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is remarkable. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Baby Spell
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process.
Shamrock
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze.
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