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 clichรฉs 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.
The Beekeeper
๐ Making each day a new chapter โ this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ๐๐ With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Cream
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. Effortless audiobook exploration โ this app's functionality is a true delight. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
MysticMingle
๐งโโ๏ธโ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook โ relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. ๐ต๐ ๐ถ๐ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling โ audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. ๐ง๐
Spooky Electric
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
NexusNinja
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! I'm hooked on this app's curated content โ it's like having a personal librarian. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itโs so easy.
ShadowDancer
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful โ I'm hooked! ๐ฑ An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts โ it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ๐๐ก Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly.
Mantis Queen
Audiobooks have never been this accessible โ this app is a true innovation. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Coma Stalk
๐๏ธ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt โ what a game-changer! ๐๐ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Mule Lock
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Shadow Bishop
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. ๐ก Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house โ it's like having a helper! ๐ ๐ Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Hidden Tree
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer โ I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes โ options galore to suit everyone's preferences. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
King Bass
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Screwtape
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move โ it's like having a tutor by my side.
Bootleg Taximan
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodโwhat a creative addition! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Necromancer
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
MindfulMingle
The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Cross Thread
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. ๐๐ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed โ bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! ๐ด๐ง
Athena Star
ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
SunVolt
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Trouble Mittens
The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. 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. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
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