Book description
A stunning personal manifesto on memory, family, and history that explores how we in America might--together--come to a new view of our shared past "A vulnerable, honest look at a life lived in a country still struggling with its evils...Hopeful...Beautiful and haunting." --Eddie S. Glaude Jr., author of Begin Again In 2020, heartsick from constant assaults on Black life, Tracy K. Smith found herself soul-searching and digging into the historical archive for help navigating the "din of human division and strife." With lyricism and urgency, Smith draws on several avenues of thinking--personal, documentary, and spiritual--to understand who we are as a nation and what we might hope to mean to one another. In Smith's own words, "To write a book about Black strength, Black continuance, and the powerful forms of belief and community that have long bolstered the soul of my people, I used the generations of my own patrilineal family to lean backward toward history, to gather a fuller sense of the lives my own ancestors led, the challenges they endured, and the sources of hope and bolstering they counted on. What this process has led me to believe is that all of us, in the here and now, can choose to work alongside the generations that precede us in tending to America's oldest wounds and meeting the urgencies of our present." To Free the Captives touches down in Sunflower, Alabama, the red-dirt town where Smith's father's family comes from, and where her grandfather returned after World War I with a hero's record but difficult prospects as a Black man. Smith considers his life and the life of her father through the lens of history. Hoping to connect with their strength and continuance, she assembles a new terminology of American life. Bearing courageous witness to the terms of Freedom afforded her as a Black woman, a mother, and an educator in the twenty-first century, Smith etches a portrait of where we find ourselves four hundred years into the American experiment. Weaving in an account of her growing spiritual practice, she argues that the soul is not merely a private site of respite or transcendence, but a tool for fulfilling our duties to each other, and a sounding board for our most pressing collective questions: Where are we going as a nation? Where have we been?
Sky Dahlia
No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Mud Eye
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. 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!
High Heel Goddess
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Dancing Madman
The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Lord Pistachio
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
Metal Aphrodite
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app.
Badger the Burglar
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket – truly amazing! ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. 🎉 Unlocking the door to imagination – this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. 📚🔑
Mad Irishman
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Dove Dolce
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer!
Winded On Friday
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears.
Pockets
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
DreamDiver
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
RedFisher
🎶📚 Setting the mood with stories instead of songs – this app is my go-to playlist! 🎧🌟 The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Fiend Oblivion
Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
ThoughtTrail
With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! 📱🎧 Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. 📱📖 No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Airport Hobo
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. Binaural audio processing is a game-changer – my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
Trick Baron
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧
Dakota Bliss
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers.
Drop Stone
ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
Vagabond Warrior
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
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