Book description
A panoramic revisionist portrait of the nineteenth-century invention that is transforming the twenty-first-century world "Excellent . . . calls to mind Bill Bryson, John McPhee, Rebecca Solnit."--The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice) ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New Yorker The bicycle is a vestige of the Victorian era, seemingly at odds with our age of smartphones and ride-sharing apps and driverless cars. Yet we live on a bicycle planet. Across the world, more people travel by bicycle than any other form of transportation. Almost anyone can learn to ride a bike--and nearly everyone does. In Two Wheels Good, journalist and critic Jody Rosen reshapes our understanding of this ubiquitous machine, an ever-present force in humanity's life and dream life--and a flash point in culture wars--for more than two hundred years. Combining history, reportage, travelogue, and memoir, Rosen's book sweeps across centuries and around the globe, unfolding the bicycle's saga from its invention in 1817 to its present-day renaissance as a "green machine," an emblem of sustainability in a world afflicted by pandemic and climate change. Readers meet unforgettable characters: feminist rebels who steered bikes to the barricades in the 1890s, a prospector who pedaled across the frozen Yukon to join the Klondike gold rush, a Bhutanese king who races mountain bikes in the Himalayas, a cycle-rickshaw driver who navigates the seething streets of the world's fastest-growing megacity, astronauts who ride a floating bicycle in zero gravity aboard the International Space Station. Two Wheels Good examines the bicycle's past and peers into its future, challenging myths and clichΓ©s while uncovering cycling's connection to colonial conquest and the gentrification of cities. But the book is also a love letter: a reflection on the sensual and spiritual pleasures of bike riding and an ode to an engineering marvel--a wondrous vehicle whose passenger is also its engine.
Uncle Psycho
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ
Z-Boy
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! No more straining my eyes to read β now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning.
Sw33per
Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
Frenzy
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
Murmur
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach.
Hoboken Nightingale
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
Lady Petal
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
Danqqqqq
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
NeoGermal
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π
Sleepwalker
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. ππ§ Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Pyscho Hun
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Grotas
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist!
Miss Mustard
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go β it's like carrying a library in my pocket. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding.
Yellow Menace
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
Centurion Sherman
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality.
Flame OUT
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ππ±
Tomcat
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
DreamWeaver
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. ListenBook's commitment to user experience shines through its thoughtful design and seamless functionality. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Redneck Giorgio
I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift.
Dahlia
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions.
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