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.
Desert Haze
💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Hyper
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠 ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
ByteBard
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate.
Trigger Warming
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. 🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫 ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Wonder Lady
🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Miss Nova
🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
CosPlatoon
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is remarkable. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Snow Hound
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. ⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! ☀️🎧
Demo Tequila
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. 🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨
Miss Murder
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
The Happy Jock
Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy.
Dropkick
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Cream
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable.
Sherm
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
QuestQuill
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
MysticMingle
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. 📚 Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks – wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! 👗🎧
Emerald Goddess
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
LuminaLore
I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is commendable. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments.
Blade
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
King Bass
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
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