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.
Honey
π§ Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. ππ± ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Fire Queen
β° Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks β energizing! π π§ Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
ThoughtTrail
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Homerun Diva
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§ ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Spooky Yellowjacket
Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true standout. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! 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.
Mammoth 2
My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Coma Stalk
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
High-Fructose
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π πΆββοΈπ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure β I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ποΈπ Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Duke Electro
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. No more worries about compatibility β ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ
AlertXis
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Back Bett
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
MysticMingle
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Energy
ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
SpellTansy
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Spunky Comet
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Tall Sally
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it!
RawSkills
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer! ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
MysticMingle
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
VileHero
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
Copilot
This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears.
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