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.
42nd Street
I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨
Sun Leo
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Baby Brown
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations β it's like the app knows me! Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience.
BloodEater
Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Digger
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection β there's always something new to discover. I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
Girl Brownie
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces.
Miss Mustard
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats β it's a true lifesaver. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ
LunaStar
Audiobook immersion without fuss β this app's ease of use is commendable. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
NoiseFire
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Sleek Zelda
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Woodland Beauty
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. 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!
Willow Dragon
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze.
Bitmap
CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
SunVolt
With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. ππ± The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Mindless Bobcat
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient.
Instant Star
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Rummy Stickers
Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Dallas Burn
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itβs the best audiobook app Iβve used.
Twinkle Cocoa
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Dream Killer
πΌ Enhancing work-from-home productivity β audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. π»π Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves 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