Book description
"In this masterly book, [Alfani] offers an insightful long-run perspective and fascinating lessons for the future. A must-read!"—Thomas Piketty, author of Capital in the Twenty-First CenturyA sweeping narrative that shows how the rich historically justified themselves by helping their societies in times of crisis, why they no longer do, and what that may mean for social stabilityThe rich have always fascinated, sometimes in problematic ways. Medieval thinkers feared that the super-rich would act 'as gods among men’; much more recently Thomas Piketty made wealth central to discussions of inequality. In this book, Guido Alfani offers a history of the rich and super-rich in the West, examining who they were, how they accumulated their wealth and what role they played in society. Covering the last thousand years, with frequent incursions into antiquity, and integrating recent research on economic inequality, Alfani finds—despite the different paths to wealth in different eras—fundamental continuities in the behaviour of the rich and public attitudes towards wealth across Western history. His account offers a novel perspective on current debates about wealth and income disparity.Alfani argues that the position of the rich and super-rich in Western society has always been intrinsically fragile; their very presence has inspired social unease. In the Middle Ages, an excessive accumulation of wealth was considered sinful; the rich were expected not to appear to be wealthy. Eventually, the rich were deemed useful when they used their wealth to help their communities in times of crisis. Yet in the twenty-first century, Alfani points out, the rich and the super-rich—their wealth largely preserved through the Great Recession and COVID-19—have been exceptionally reluctant to contribute to the common good in times of crisis, rejecting even such stopgap measures as temporary tax increases. History suggests that this is a troubling development—for the rich, and for everyone else.
S’more Vixen
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
Devine Melon
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch.
Daffy Neo
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. 💡 Balancing learning and living effortlessly – audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! 🎧💫 Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds – this app's functionality is genius. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧
Plum Moon
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive!
Lope Lope
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. 🌟 Say goodbye to boredom during long drives – this app makes road trips fly by! 🚗🎉
ThermalMode
Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless.
Sprinkle Lovenuts
📱 Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories – this app is pure magic! 📚✨ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Stealth
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Congo Wire
I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit! 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.
Sokol
🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Armed Hawk
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Spunky Chick
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Tin Mutt
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Pepper Mouse
💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
Tan Stallion
I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Trash Pocky
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Shwatson
Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. I love the car mode. It’s so convenient for listening while driving.
RiddleRover
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
Flint
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Classy Luck
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. 🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 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!
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