Book description
Beatrice's Last Smile interweaves vivid portraits of such individuals to offer a sweeping and immersive story. Some are of enduring renown -- Augustine, Muhammad, Charlemagne, Heloise --and others are obscure. An Egyptian youth fighting demons in the desert as the first monk; a Briton becomes a holy man after enslavement in Ireland; an emperor in Constantinople watches as rioters torch the city; a old Syrian monk advises the English on sex; the soul of a Merovingian noble flies through the night sky to heaven; an Irish warrior surfs the waves like a dolphin as he flees the Vikings; a crusader's boots squelch with blood on the streets of Jerusalem; a troubadour sings of love; a Muslim lord expresses admiration of the Templars; a pope proclaims that Christendom encompasses all time and space; a barefoot Franciscan friar visits the Great Khan of the Mongols; a Parisian rabbi argues for the holiness of the Talmud; and a poet laments being alive amid the horror of the Black Death. Together, they take readers from the vastness of the Roman Empire to small communities between the Mediterranean and the North Sea, from the nomads of the Asian steppes to the triumphant Church of Latin Christendom. Beatrice's Last Smile offers a pulsating history of the West: the passionate belief in the old gods that yields to a cosmos shaped by one; the transition from a penitential culture to a confessional one; the universal obsession with imitating Christ. The book is named for the moment in Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy when his long-dead love, Beatrice, smiles one final time at Dante in paradise before turning away to look eternally upon the face of God. Mark Gregory Pegg's epic narrative captures a millennium within that fleeting smile, in ways that modern readers will find illuminating and haunting.
Rosie Bird
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Flash
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β audiobooks make my runs more exciting! πββοΈπ§ π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Coffee
I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. 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 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.
Vermilion
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
The Dude
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
EchoEmissary
πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! πββοΈπ Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch.
Mule Lock
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Eye Candy Kitten
Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
Trick Baron
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
VisionVoyager
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Paris Boost
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use.
Flash Protein
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ π± My pocket-sized library β this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! ππ±
3P-own
Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Heavenly Connection
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
FearLeSS
Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find.
Bae
Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic!
Fast FLAK
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing.
TulipCake
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. The app is worth every penny. Itβs packed with features and works flawlessly.
Electric Player
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth.
THRESHmSTR
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
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