Book description
"An essential campsite read, Andrew Vietze's This Wild Land is a fascinating and intimate account of the triumphs and tribulations faced by a park ranger committed to protecting Maine's premier state park and the colorful characters who visit it."--Andrea Lankford, author of Ranger Confidential: Living, Working, and Dying in the National ParksAlmost twenty years ago, Andrew Vietze made an unexpected career change: from punk rock magazine editor to park ranger at Baxter State Park in Maine. Home to Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, Baxter State Park sees some 60,000 visitors each summer alone, keeping the park rangers beyond busy. From midnight search-and-rescue missions to trail maintenance to cleaning toilets, Baxter rangers do it all... and, over the decades, Vietze has seen it all. As he grows from neophyte to old hand, the relationships that Vietze builds with his fellow rangers are illustrated as vibrantly as any attempt to save a lightning strike victim or raid on illegal campers. In This Wild Land, Vietze tells his story with humor, action, and an eye for the compelling details of life as a park ranger, making it the perfect read for outdoor and armchair adventurers alike. "Eighteen years ago, Andrew Vietze did something many people dream of but few of us have the guts to do; he left a prestigious office job to take an entry-level position working in the Maine North Woods. This Wild Land records his adventures and misadventures as a ranger at Baxter State Park: home to legendary Mount Katahdin, beloved by both Henry David Thoreau and Teddy Roosevelt, and arguably the last wild place in the Eastern US. Vietze's story is at once inspirational, frankly heartfelt, and endlessly entertaining. In other words, it has all the makings of a new Maine classic."--Paul Doiron, author of The Poacher's Son and Dead by Dawn"When young people ask for advice about becoming a writer, my response is generally as follows: write (and read) all the time. And get a real job. Usually, I recommend plumbing, because it's lucrative and also because there are always good stories to be found in kitchens and bathrooms...Having read Vietze's fine storytelling, I think I might recommend his path instead. Beginning as a magazine writer, Vietze found a real, and really wonderful, job, patrolling and protecting Baxter State Park. One of the most beautiful places on earth, Baxter also boasts Mount Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The work of a Baxter ranger is varied, challenging and sometimes life-saving...and has provided Andrew Vietze with an abundance of good stories. He offers these with humor, verve, an eye for the telling detail and an infectious delight in this rugged corner of the natural world, and its human and non-human inhabitants."--Kate Braestrup, New York Times bestselling author of Here if You Need Me "The experience of reading This Wild Land--floating in the eddies of Andrew Vietze's profoundly captivating and elegantly unpretentious prose, seeing through his eyes the natural world's quiet beauty and ruthless tragedy--offers an ideal escape from the unrelenting madness of modern life. Only an observant, gifted writer who has spent eighteen years working beneath the foreboding summit of Katahdin can achieve the humility to write such a perfect tribute to the magnificent park in the middle of Maine."--Michael Finkel, New York Times bestselling author of The Stranger in the Woods
Red Delicious
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Moon Peaches
The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. ποΈ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level β audiobooks make it an adventure! ππ
Twinkle Cocoa
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Dorothy Solitaire
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Flint Cast-Iron
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
Pepper Mouse
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch.
Turnip King
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Dandelion
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
VPR
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. 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.
Disco Potato
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm.
Lady Petal
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ
Voluntary
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive.
Alberta
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination.
Indestructible Potato
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Emerald Goddess
Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didnβt dislike it, but I also didnβt feel strongly about it one way or another.
Babe
π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π
Queen Ginger
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Master Jetson
Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection! The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Impulse
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Pink Hopper
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
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