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.
Firefly Caramel
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly.
Fennel Dove
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
THRESHmSTR
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book – brilliant! The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
Twix Esses
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
Cereal Killer
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
DreamDiver
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. 🚶♀️📱 I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. 🏞️📚 The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
Bambi Wings
This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my passport to countless stories. 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧
BlackExcalibur
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease!
ZenaCake
Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Alberta
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Hairpin
Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Friday Fox
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. 🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧
Juno Cream
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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!
Lucifurious
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine – thank you! ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Combo Saw
Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
DreamWeaver
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. I’ve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Centurion Sherman
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift.
B@d B0y
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
The Final Judgement
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Flakes
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
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