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.
Flash
πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§ ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey.
9Lives
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments β I'm forever grateful. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session.
Mr. Wholesome
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ππ± Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Stallion Patton
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
NeoGermal
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. 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. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Lil Rebel Ma
πΌ Workday blues? Not anymore β this app turns my office hours into reading time! π»π Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless.
Wrangler Jim
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch.
Engine Eye
ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ
ReiGnZ
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! 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!
Genghis Glyph
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
ByteBard
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Feral Cookie
πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Moon Cricket
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Flashpoint
Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
Double Eerie
π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Fist Wizard
π Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner β this app adds flavor to every meal! π²π The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Twinkle Cutlass
βοΈ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ππ Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Black Firefly
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Rook
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Milan Call Back
π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
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