Book description
The New York Times bestselling author of The Year of Living Biblically chronicles his hilarious adventures in attempting to follow the original meaning of the Constitution, as he searches for answers to one of the most pressing issues of our time: How should we interpret America's foundational document? "I don't know how I learned so much while laughing so hard."--Andy Borowitz A.J. Jacobs learned the hard way that donning a tricorne hat and marching around Manhattan with a 1700s musket will earn you a lot of strange looks. In the wake of several controversial rulings by the Supreme Court and the on-going debate about how the Constitution should be interpreted, Jacobs set out to understand what it means to live by the Constitution. In The Year of Living Constitutionally, A.J. Jacobs tries to get inside the minds of the Founding Fathers by living as closely as possible to the original meaning of the Constitution. He asserts his right to free speech by writing his opinions on parchment with a quill and handing them out to strangers in Times Square. He consents to quartering a soldier, as is his Third Amendment right. He turns his home into a traditional 1790s household by lighting candles instead of using electricity, boiling mutton, and--because women were not allowed to sign contracts-- feebly attempting to take over his wife's day job, which involves a lot of contract negotiations. The book blends unforgettable adventures--delivering a handwritten petition to Congress, applying for a Letter of Marque to become a legal pirate for the government, and battling redcoats as part of a Revolutionary War reenactment group--with dozens of interviews from constitutional experts from both sides. Jacobs dives deep into originalism and living constitutionalism, the two rival ways of interpreting the document. Much like he did with the Bible in The Year of Living Biblically, Jacobs provides a crash course on our Constitution as he experiences the benefits and perils of living like it's the 1790s. He relishes, for instance, the slow thinking of the era, free from social media alerts. But also discovers the progress we've made since 1789 when married women couldn't own property. Now more than ever, Americans need to understand the meaning and value of the Constitution. As politicians and Supreme Court Justices wage a high-stakes battle over how literally we should interpret the Constitution, A.J. Jacobs provides an entertaining yet illuminating look into how this storied document fits into our democracy today.
About the Author
A.J. Jacobs is a journalist, lecturer, and human guinea pig whose books include Drop Dead Healthy, The Year of Living Biblically, and The Puzzler. A contributor to NPR, The New York Times, and Esquire, among other media outlets, Jacobs lives in New York City with his family.
Trip
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations.
MysticMingle
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces.
New York Sixlet
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Audiobook immersion without complications โ this app's ease of use is commendable.
Genghis Glyph
Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ๐๐ง I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itโs so easy.
Dream Killer
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true โ from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. ๐ฑ๐ A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Gabriel Dandelion
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineโgood narration, decent storyโbut it didnโt leave a lasting impression. If youโre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Chicago Blackout
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineโgood narration, decent storyโbut it didnโt leave a lasting impression. If youโre looking for something low-commitment, this works. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Dr. WMD
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
Whistler
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver.
Saint La-Z-Boy
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse โ chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ๐๐ Turn traffic into a literary escape โ this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ๐๐ง
Raggedy Ann
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Lady Petal
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse โ chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ๐๏ธ๐ง Escaping to paradise with a beach read โ this app is my vacation in audio form! ๐๏ธ๐ ListenBookโs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itโs perfect for my needs.
Boo
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. User-friendly audiobook experience โ this app's design is a standout. Audiobook multitasking made simple โ this app's design is a game-changer.
Achilles Mountain
Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ๐๐ง ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection.
Potato Sub
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. I love the statistics feature. Itโs fun to see how much Iโve listened. 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!
Highway
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use.
NexusNinja
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer.
Bambi Wings
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. ๐๐ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks โ driving has never been this fun! ๐๐ง Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ๐๐
Doughboy, Esq
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. I'm impressed by the app's performance โ it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts.
Nutmeg
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. 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.
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