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.
Taffy Duchess
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
CuriousCrafter
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. 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!
Congo Wire
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities.
Lady In Red
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use β it's a reader's dream come true. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
9Lives
Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in!
Twisty Dew
Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Slug-em-dog
β° Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks β energizing! π π§ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Redneck Giorgio
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ 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!
Criss Cross
ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Orange Teflon
I'm hooked on this app β it's like Netflix for book lovers! πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§
Admiral Tot
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Fire Fish
The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Roller Girl
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Dez North
ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover.
Stud
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Skylark
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine.
360
πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π βοΈ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ππ
Sly Silvermoon
This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Sofa King
πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Queen Ginger
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
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