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.
High Beam
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠 Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. 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.
Stealth
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
RedFeet
💡 This app's convenience is a blessing – I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! 📱👩🍳 Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
LoreLoomer
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience.
Die Slice
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Pocket Muzzie
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Crossing Guard
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls.
S’more Vixen
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Psycho Thinker
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 🏃♀️📚 Running with purpose – audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. 🏃♀️🎧 Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Lord Pistachio
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. 🎧 An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand – this app is pure convenience! 📚🌟
Classy Dancer
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. 🚶♀️📱 I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. 🏞️📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Cumulo
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
LocKz
🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes – options galore to suit everyone's preferences.
West Warrior
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Mirage
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
Solitaire
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist!
Starshine
This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. 📱📖 The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
Morbid Sugar
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Hyper Kong
Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration.
Chocolate Thunder
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
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