Book description
One of People's Best Books of June! "I did not expect to be shocked by There Is No Ethan. Online deception has become so ubiquitous that it's boring...But the twists and turns in Anna Akbari's book are outrageous. I read it in one sitting, then spent days recounting her story to anyone who would listen, unable to shake off my indignation on behalf of the author and her fellow victims."--New York Times Part memoir, part explosive window into the mind of a catfisher, a thrilling personal account of three women coming face-to-face with an internet predator and teaming up to expose them. In 2011, three successful and highly educated women fell head over heels for the brilliant and charming Ethan Schuman. Unbeknownst to the others, each exchanged countless messages with Ethan, staying up late into the evenings to deepen their connections with this fascinating man. His detailed excuses about broken webcams and complicated international calling plans seemed believable, as did last minute trip cancellations. After all, why would he lie? Ethan wasn't after money -- he never convinced his marks to shell out thousands of dollars for some imagined crisis. Rather, he ensnared these women in a web of intense emotional intimacy. After the trio independently began to question inconsistencies in their new flame's stories, they managed to find one another and uncover a greater deception than they could've ever imagined. As Anna Akbari and the women untangled their catfish's web, they found other victims and realized that without a proper crime, there was no legal reason for "Ethan" to ever stop. THERE IS NO ETHAN catalogues Akbari's experience as both victim and observer. By looking at the bigger picture of where these stories unfold -- a world where technology mediates our relationships; where words and images are easily manipulated; and where truth, reality, and identity have become slippery terms -- Akbari gives a page-turning and riveting examination of why stories like Ethan's matter for us all.
About the Author
Anna Akbari, PhD, is a sociologist and the author of multiple books, including collaborations with more than a dozen authors and public figures across multiple fields and industries. She is a former professor at New York University and Parsons School of Design. She speaks internationally, makes regular media appearances, and has written for or been featured by many top media outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, Forbes, the Atlantic, Time, the Financial Times, TED, Bulletproof Executive, Psychology Today, Google Talks, Sirius XM, and many more. She is the creator of the Substack "The Sociology of... Everything." Learn more at annaakbari.com, and follow on Instagram / Threads: @annaakbari.
RealmRanger
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver โ no more losing my place in the story! I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed โ it's my form of meditation. ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever.
Moon Orchid
This app is my travel companion โ making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
MythMaker
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. 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. ๐๐ ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Fatsy Bear
๐ผ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation โ audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. ๐ป๐ The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. 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.
Blinker
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Sweet Bacon
๐ฑ Audiobooks at my fingertips โ this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ๐๐ฅ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Zesty Dragon
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? โญ๏ธ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! ๐งน๐ฐ ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Hoboken Nightingale
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Sexual Chocolate
Streamlined audiobook integration โ this app's usability is truly impressive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
Dandelion
๐ง Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly โ this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ๐๐ ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Juice Petite
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. I can't imagine my life without this app โ it's my daily dose of literature. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
Natural Gold
๐๏ธ๐ง Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads โ this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ๐๏ธ๐ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch โ it's like having a personalized reading. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureโitโs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! An audiobook Iโll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorโs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
The Belgian
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.
DreamDasher
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. ๐ก This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! ๐ฑ๐ฉโ๐ณ ListenBookโs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Berry Succubus
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way โ while cooking, working out, or even gardening. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks โ nature and narratives, a perfect match! ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Elder Pogue
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Lady Pomegranate
ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience.
Ladybird
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Low Menace
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Cool Whip
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
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