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.
Flash
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality β a journey into captivating worlds. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
PixelPathfinder
ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
Pinball Esq
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
High Beam
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ Binaural audio processing is a game-changer β my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
WanderWord
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive. π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Shamrock
π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Fire Queen
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Lady Petal
This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Truth
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven.
Kazmii
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. ListenBookβs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration. 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.
ForumFlare
With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
AlertXis
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze β a true travel essential. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Dark Burn
This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Morbid Sugar
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. 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 is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Blizzard Vixen
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress.
Club Nola
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. π Reading has never been this easy β this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. ππ«
Night Magnet
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Cool Law Topping
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials.
Shady Prairie
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Mosquit-No
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
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