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.
Twitch
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Darkside Hooker
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
Vixen
ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Marbles
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
Slow Trot
I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Sugar Man
Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight. 🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
NemesisX
The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Chip Queen
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. 🌌 Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey – thank you, this app! ✨📚 🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library.
Winter Bite
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Parallax Sugar
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment.
NexusNinja
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. 🔥 Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine – this app is my secret weapon! ✨📖 Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Beetle King
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Trixie
🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧 Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward – thank you, app! The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
DuckDuck
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Moon Laser
🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚 This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Versace-Cat
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer.
Chlorine
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧 No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Lil Rebel Ma
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. 🎧 Audiobooks anywhere, anytime – this app's convenience is unbeatable! 🌟📚 ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations.
Pixie Taze
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Trixie
Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
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