Book description
"Engrossing and suspenseful." --The New York Times "Expertly pulls readers in." --The Guardian "Smith sharply chronicles the revolutionary moment." -- Financial TimesThe origin story of the Age of Disinformation: the candid inside tale of two online media rivals, Jonah Peretti of HuffPost and BuzzFeed and Nick Denton of Gawker Media, whose delirious pursuit of attention at scale helped release the dark forces that would overtake the internet and American society. If attention is the new oil, Ben Smith's Traffic is the story of the time between the first gusher and the impact of climate change. The curtain opens in Soho in the early 2000s, after the first dotcom crash but before Google, Apple, and Facebook exploded, when it seemed that New York City rather than Silicon Valley might become tech's center of gravity. There, within a few square blocks, Nick Denton's merry band of nihilists at his growing Gawker empire and Jonah Peretti's sunnier crew at HuffPost and BuzzFeed were building the foundations of viral internet media. It was tech's age of innocence: the old establishment might have been discredited by the Iraq War, but digital news would facilitate the spread of truth. After all, didn't progressive activists online get Barack Obama elected? Ben Smith, who would go on to earn a controversial reputation as BuzzFeed's editor-in-chief, was there to see it, and he chronicles it all with marvelous lucidity scored with dark wit, sparing no one--and certainly not himself. Smith tells a nuanced story: yes, Denton's ideology of radical transparency was problematic, but at least he had an ideology. Jonah Peretti survived long after Denton's Gawker perished because his focus on clicks was relentlessly content-agnostic. But unintended consequences began to snowball. Traffic explores one of the great ironies of our time: the internet, which was going to help the left remake the world in its image, has become the motive force of right populism. People like Steve Bannon and Andrew Breitbart and Gavin McInnes and Chris Poole, the creator of 4chan, all seemed like minor characters in the narrative in which Nick and Jonah and crew were the stars. By 2020, any reasonable observer might wonder if the opposite wasn't the case. To understand how we got here, Traffic is essential and enthralling reading.
Con Mammoth
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Marshmallow Treat
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§
Chameleon
I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
Sky Herald
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Papa Smurf
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster.
Romance Princess
π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys.
Pecan Oblivion
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Duke Electro
I've found my new favorite way to relax β cuddled up with an audiobook. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable.
Captain Peroxide
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner.
Lincoln Rider
This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. ππ The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Pitfall
Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. 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!
Wildcat Appaloosa
ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Spunky Sphinx
The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks. 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!
Reed Lady
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Blade
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Iβm 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!
Fl00d
Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Riff Raff
π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. 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! The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Greek Rifle
With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go. 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!
Star Jammer
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§ π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Shadow Bishop
Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
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