Book description
A distinguished former foreign correspondent embraces retirement by setting out alone on foot for nearly four hundred miles, and explores a side of America nearly as exotic as the locales from which he once filed. Traveling with an unwieldy pack and a keen curiosity, Christopher Wren bids farewell to the New York Times newsroom in midtown Manhattan and saunters up Broadway, through Harlem, the Bronx, and the affluent New York suburbs of Westchester and Putnam Counties. As his trek takes him into the Housatonic River Valley of Connecticut, the Berkshires of Massachusetts, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and along a bucolic riverbank in New Hampshire, the strenuous challenges become as much emotional as physical. Wren loses his way in a suburban thicket of million-dollar mansions, dodges speeding motorists, seeks serenity at a convent, shivers through a rainy night among Shaker ruins, camps in a stranger's backyard, panhandles cookies and water from a good samaritan, absorbs the lore of the Appalachian and Long Trails, sweats up and down mountains, and lands in a hospital emergency room. Struggling under the weight of a fifty-pound pack, he gripes, "We might grow less addicted to stuff if everything we bought had to be carried on our backs." He hangs out with fellow wanderers named Old Rabbit, Flash, Gatorman, Stray Dog, and Buzzard, and learns gratitude from the anonymous charity of trail angels. His rite of passage into retirement, with its heat and dust and blisters galore, evokes vivid reminiscences of earlier risks taken, sometimes at gunpoint, during his years spent reporting from Russia, China, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa. He loses track of time, waking with the sun, stopping to eat when hunger gnaws, and camping under starry skies that transform the nights of solitude. For all the self-inflicted hardship, he reports, "In fact, I felt pretty good." Wren has woven an intensely personal story that is candid and often downright hilarious. As Vermont turns from a destination into a state of mind, he concludes, "I had stumbled upon the secret of how utterly irrelevant chronological age is." This book, from the author of the acclaimed bestseller The Cat Who Covered the World, will delight not just hikers, walkers, and other lovers of the outdoors, but also anyone who contemplates retirement, wonders about foreign correspondents, or relishes a lively, off-beat adventure, even when it unfolds close to home.
Mustard Centaur
πΌ Enhancing work-from-home productivity β audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. π»π This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
Viceswerve
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
DuckDuck
Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Mad Jack
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again β but in a modern, convenient way. I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Impulse
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β audiobooks make my runs more exciting! πββοΈπ§ The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
Gro
π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Dallas Foxface
This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Noh Noh
This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is remarkable. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Orange Teflon
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Demo Zero
Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
West Warrior
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience.
West Warrior
With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
Icy Avenger
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Twitch
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Demo Zero
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout.
Frosty Snazz
ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments.
Sir Shove
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
BoomerBox
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§
Baby Spell
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
Brick Mooch
I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend! The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
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