Book description
Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in Biography A double portrait of two of America's most influential writers that reveals the surprising connections between them--and their uncanny relevance to our age of crisis Up from the Depths tells the interconnected stories of two of the most important writers in American history--the novelist and poet Herman Melville (1819-1891) and one of his earliest biographers, the literary critic and historian Lewis Mumford (1895-1990). Deftly cutting back and forth between the writers, Aaron Sachs reveals the surprising resonances between their lives, work, and troubled times--and their uncanny relevance in our own age of crisis. The author of Moby-Dick was largely forgotten for several decades after his death, but Mumford helped spearhead Melville's revival in the aftermath of World War I and the 1918-1919 flu pandemic, when American culture needed a forebear with a suitably dark vision. As Mumford's career took off and he wrote books responding to the machine age, urban decay, world war, and environmental degradation, it was looking back to Melville's confrontation with crises such as industrialization, slavery, and the Civil War that helped Mumford to see his own era clearly. Mumford remained obsessed with Melville, ultimately helping to canonize him as America's greatest tragedian. But largely forgotten today is one of Mumford's key insights--that Melville's darkness was balanced by an inspiring determination to endure. Amid today's foreboding over global warming, racism, technology, pandemics, and other crises, Melville and Mumford remind us that we've been in this struggle for a long time. To rediscover these writers today is to rediscover how history can offer hope in dark times.
Athena Star
Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Avenge Paws
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§ My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Shimmy Shammy
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging!
Nibbler
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Onion King
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Psycho Thinker
π§ Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs β this app has it all! ππΌ With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Nickname Master
User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
Mirage
πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§ ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Mother Hen
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine.
Cupid Dust
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Low Voltage
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a winner. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Wiccan Thunder
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Freaky Ratbuster
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ 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! ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. 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!
Racy Babe
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Vixen
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Sexy
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. This app is a time-saver β I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Centurion Sherman
π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true.
Bad Princess
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go.
Old Regret
Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Lord Nikon
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π
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