Book description
Told by one of our greatest chroniclers of technology and society, the definitive biography of iconic serial visionary Stewart Brand, from the Merry Pranksters and the generation-defining Whole Earth Catalog to the marriage of environmental consciousness and hacker capitalism and the rise of a new planetary culture--the story behind so many other stories Stewart Brand has long been famous if you know who he is, but for many people outside the counterculture, early computing, or the environmental movement, he is perhaps best known for his famous mantra "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." Steve Jobs's endorsement of these words as his code to live by is fitting; Brand has played many roles, but one of the most important is as a model for how to live. The contradictions are striking: A blond-haired WASP with a modest family inheritance, Brand went to Exeter and Stanford and was an army veteran, but in California in the 1960s he became an artist and a photographer in the thick of the LSD revolution. While tripping on acid on the roof of his building, he envisioned how valuable it would be for humans to see a photograph of the planet they shared from space, an image that in the end landed on the cover of his Whole Earth Catalog, the defining publication of the counterculture. He married a Native American woman and was committed to protecting indigenous culture, which connected to a broader environmentalist mission that has been a through line of his life. At the same time, he has outraged purists because of his pragmatic embrace of useful technologies, including nuclear power, in the fight against climate change. The famous tagline promise of his catalog was "Access to Tools"; with rare exceptions he rejected politics for a focus on direct power. It was no wonder, then, that he was early to the promise of the computer revolution and helped define it for the wider world. Brand's life can be hard to fit onto one screen. John Markoff, also a great chronicler of tech culture, has done something extraordinary in unfolding the rich, twisting story of Brand's life against its proper landscape. As Markoff makes marvelously clear, the streams of individualism, respect for science, environmentalism, and Eastern and indigenous thought that flow through Brand's entire life form a powerful gestalt, a California state of mind that has a hegemonic power to this day. His way of thinking embraces a true planetary consciousness that may be the best hope we humans collectively have.
Raggedy Ann
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Freeze Queen
The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits. 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! Good for background listening. I didnโt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorโs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Trash Sling
๐ก Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine โ this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBook is more than just an app โ it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itโs perfect for my listening style.
Bug Blitz
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
WanderWord
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Show Boat
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights โ it's a true audio marvel. ๐ช Achieving double wins โ workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! ๐ช๐ง
Firecracker
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. ๐ Elevating everyday moments โ this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. ๐โจ The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Berlin Kamikaze
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ๐๐ง
Tweety Bun Bun
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Swampmasher
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. 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!
NeoGermal
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Lord Nikon
With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Pocket Muzzie
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off โ no more searching for my spot! ๐ Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! ๐บ๐ง The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Fiend Oblivion
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. ๐ฑ๐ Savoring stories has never been this smooth โ this app's functionality is genius. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. ๐โจ Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. ๐๐ง
Fresh Peper
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Combo Saw
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again โ it's a must-have app. This app has made multitasking a breeze โ I can 'read' while I work! Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes โ options galore to suit everyone's preferences.
DreamWeaver
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Streamlined audiobook integration โ this app's usability is impressive. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackโit's all up to me!
Liquid Science
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now โ all thanks to this app. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. Audiobooks made accessible โ this app's ease of use is a true blessing. The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itโs so convenient.
Digital Goddess
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks.
Dropkick
CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineโgood narration, decent storyโbut it didnโt leave a lasting impression. If youโre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
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