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.
Dark Matter
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. ππ« CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Rope
ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Lord Theus
The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Armed Hawk
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
Tangerine
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Soda Delirium
The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. 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!
RedMouth
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Mud Finger
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive.
FireBerry
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues!
Dallas Foxface
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
9Lives
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯
Magenta
Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is a game-changer. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Lilac Lizard
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention.
Kingfisher
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Desert Haze
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
Danqqqqq
Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly.
Twix Esses
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature! ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Undergrad
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips.
NexusNomad
This app makes traffic jams a breeze β time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§
Kawaii Red
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content β it's my new favorite app. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
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