Book description
Waking Up - An Audiobook Review
Sam Harris's Waking Up turns the idea of spirituality on its head: you don't need a church or temple to experience it, just a curious mind and a willingness to listen. In this audiobook, Harris invites listeners into a world where meditation is treated as a science experiment and mindfulness becomes an everyday skill that can be practiced by anyone.
What makes this recording stand out is Harris's voice-clear, calm, and unpretentious. He speaks with the authority of a neuroscientist while staying grounded in human experience. The narration flows effortlessly between personal anecdotes about his own meditation practice and rigorous explanations of how our brains respond to focused attention. When he cites studies on the default mode network or the effects of oxytocin, it feels less like textbook jargon and more like a conversation with a trusted friend who just happened to have a PhD.
The structure of the book-part memoir, part scientific primer-mirrors the pacing of the audio itself. Early chapters are light and engaging, offering simple breathing exercises that listeners can try on the spot. As the recording progresses, Harris delves into deeper concepts such as "detached awareness" or the distinction between "the self" and "the story." These sections are paired with guided meditations that help you internalize the ideas rather than just understand them intellectually.
Listeners often remark that the audiobook feels less like a lecture and more like a gentle coaching session. The pauses are well-placed, giving space for reflection. Harris's tone is earnest yet approachable; he acknowledges the skeptical side of his audience while still encouraging them to experiment with meditation as a rational practice.
In short, Waking Up offers a compelling blend of contemplative wisdom and empirical insight. It is perfect for anyone who wants to explore spirituality without dogma, or simply want to learn how to live more mindfully in the chaos of modern life. The audiobook format makes it easy to absorb these ideas during commutes, workouts, or quiet evenings at home. If you're looking for a thoughtful, science-backed guide that feels like a trusted companion on your personal journey, this is the recording you'll want to add to your library.
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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