Book description
Fintan O'Toole was born in the year the revolution began. It was 1958, and the Irish government--in despair, because all the young people were leaving--opened the country to foreign investment and popular culture. So began a decades-long, ongoing experiment with Irish national identity. In We Don't Know Ourselves, O'Toole, one of the Anglophone world's most consummate stylists, weaves his own experiences into Irish social, cultural, and economic change, showing how Ireland, in just one lifetime, has gone from a reactionary "backwater" to an almost totally open society--perhaps the most astonishing national transformation in modern history.Born to a working-class family in the Dublin suburbs, O'Toole served as an altar boy and attended a Christian Brothers school, much as his forebears did. He was enthralled by American Westerns suddenly appearing on Irish television, which were not that far from his own experience, given that Ireland's main export was beef and it was still not unknown for herds of cattle to clatter down Dublin's streets. Yet the Westerns were a sign of what was to come. O'Toole narrates the once unthinkable collapse of the all-powerful Catholic Church, brought down by scandal and by the activism of ordinary Irish, women in particular. He relates the horrific violence of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, which led most Irish to reject violent nationalism. In O'Toole's telling, America became a lodestar, from John F. Kennedy's 1963 visit, when the soon-to-be martyred American president was welcomed as a native son, to the emergence of the Irish technology sector in the late 1990s, driven by American corporations, which set Ireland on the path toward particular disaster during the 2008 financial crisis.A remarkably compassionate yet exacting observer, O'Toole in coruscating prose captures the peculiar Irish habit of "deliberate unknowing," which allowed myths of national greatness to persist even as the foundations were crumbling. Forty years in the making, We Don't Know Ourselves is a landmark work, a memoir and a national history that ultimately reveals how the two modes are entwined for all of us.
Engine Eye
Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
EchoEnigma
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Wildcat Talent
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π
ZenZone
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Mercury Reborn
π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy.
Virgo Moon
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Old Man Winter
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
LuminaLore
Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is a game-changer. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Jelly Camber
I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Spooky Yellowjacket
ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
FearLeSS
ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. 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.
FireBerry
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. π This app's functionality is a masterpiece β it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. ππ¨ The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Criss Cross
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! πββοΈπ
Pepper
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Lightweight
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itβs the best audiobook app Iβve used.
Sweet Bacon
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done!
Rosie Bird
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Impulsive Flower
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯
Most Wanted
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. Simplifying audiobook management β this app's functionality is a true asset. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Black Fantastic
π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
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