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.
Sherm
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Baby Spell
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition – I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy.
VileHero
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Kamikaze Grandma
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Bowler
I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Thunder Tank
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze.
Tacklebox
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Roadspike
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Twitch
This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. 📱 Carrying my library in my pocket – this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! 📚👜
Scare Stone
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. 💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
Homerun Diva
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out.
Carrot Joker
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. 🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Bambi Wings
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Fast FLAK
This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚 Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Bleach
📱 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! 📚🔥 Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Lightweight
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles! CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
Demo Zero
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Taffy Duchess
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius.
Silver Agent
ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Wheels
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
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