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
RealmRanger
My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
DreamDiver
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Trouble Mittens
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§
Mother Hen
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
M8deUp
πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Tacklebox
π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ππ§
CosPlatoon
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ« As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure!
The China Wall
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Turnip King
ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Renegade Slugger
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. 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! This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Cool Iris
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy.
Bad Beh8vior
Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π
Blister
The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. 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.
Wooden Man
This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Landfill Max
ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Old Regret
π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨ ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Flame OUT
The app's stability is impressive β it runs smoothly without any glitches. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Hobo Samurai
I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a winner. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries.
Phoenix Tetra
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion.
Cricket
is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
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