Book description
Traditional accounts of the making of the modern world afford a place of primacy to European history. Some credit the fifteenth-century Age of Discovery and the maritime connection it established between West and East; others the accidental unearthing of the "New World." Still others point to the development of the scientific method, or the spread of Judeo-Christian beliefs; and so on, ad infinitum. The history of Africa, by contrast, has long been relegated to the remote outskirts of our global story. What if, instead, we put Africa and Africans at the very center of our thinking about the origins of modernity?In a sweeping narrative spanning more than six centuries, Howard W. French does just that, for Born in Blackness vitally reframes the story of medieval and emerging Africa, demonstrating how the economic ascendancy of Europe, the anchoring of democracy in the West, and the fulfillment of so-called Enlightenment ideals all grew out of Europe's dehumanizing engagement with the "dark" continent. In fact, French reveals, the first impetus for the Age of Discovery was not--as we are so often told, even today--Europe's yearning for ties with Asia, but rather its centuries-old desire to forge a trade in gold with legendarily rich Black societies sequestered away in the heart of West Africa.Creating a historical narrative that begins with the commencement of commercial relations between Portugal and Africa in the fifteenth century and ends with the onset of World War II, Born in Blackness interweaves precise historical detail with poignant, personal reportage. In so doing, it dramatically retrieves the lives of major African historical figures, from the unimaginably rich medieval emperors who traded with the Near East and beyond, to the Kongo sovereigns who heroically battled seventeenth-century European powers, to the ex-slaves who liberated Haitians from bondage and profoundly altered the course of American history.While French cogently demonstrates the centrality of Africa to the rise of the modern world, Born in Blackness becomes, at the same time, a far more significant narrative, one that reveals a long-concealed history of trivialization and, more often, elision in depictions of African history throughout the last five hundred years. As French shows, the achievements of sovereign African nations and their now-far-flung peoples have time and again been etiolated and deliberately erased from modern history. As the West ascended, their stories--siloed and piecemeal--were swept into secluded corners, thus setting the stage for the hagiographic "rise of the West" theories that have endured to this day."Capacious and compelling" (Laurent Dubois), Born in Blackness is epic history on the grand scale. In the lofty tradition of bold, revisionist narratives, it reframes the story of gold and tobacco, sugar and cotton--and of the greatest "commodity" of them all, the twelve million people who were brought in chains from Africa to the "New World," whose reclaimed lives shed a harsh light on our present world.
Blister
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π
Freeze Queen
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Aqua Monsoon
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries.
DragonBlood
The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Jack Cassidy
I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Sylvester Eye
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Pecan Oblivion
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Alley Fiend
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection.
Napoleonic Haze
I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Mr. Spy
πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Forger
Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy. 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!
Dakota Bliss
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. I love the auto-rewind feature. Itβs great for when I zone out.
New Cycle
π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier β this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. π±π§ The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Slow Trot
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Wooden German
Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
CuriousCrafter
π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Capital F
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
HedgeH0g2
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Black Fantastic
Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
SneakerKid
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. 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