Book description
How cat mania exploded in the early twentieth century, transforming cats from pests into beloved pets.In 1900, Britain and America were in the grip of a cat craze. An animal that had for centuries been seen as a household servant or urban nuisance had now become an object of pride and deep affection. From presidential and royal families who imported exotic breeds to working-class men competing for cash prizes for the fattest tabby, people became enthralled to the once-humble cat. Multiple industries sprang up to feed this new obsession, selling everything from veterinary services to leather bootees via dedicated cat magazines. Cats themselves were now traded for increasingly large sums of money, bolstered by elaborate pedigrees that claimed noble ancestry and promised aesthetic distinction.In Catland, Kathryn Hughes chronicles the cat craze of the early twentieth century through the life and career of Louis Wain. Wain's anthropomorphic drawings of cats in top hats falling in love, sipping champagne, golfing, driving cars, and piloting planes are some of the most instantly recognizable images from the era. His round-faced fluffy characters established the prototype for the modern cat, which cat "fanciers" were busily trying to achieve using their newfound knowledge of the latest scientific breeding techniques. Despite being a household name, Wain endured multiple bankruptcies and mental breakdowns, spending his last fifteen years in an asylum, drawing abstract and multicolored felines. But it was his ubiquitous anthropomorphic cats that helped usher the formerly reviled creatures into homes across Europe.Beautifully illustrated and based on new archival findings about Wain's life, the wider cat fancy, and the media frenzy it created, Catland chronicles the fascinating history of how the modern cat emerged.
About the Author
Kathryn Hughes is emerita professor of life writing at the University of East Anglia and a literary critic for The Guardian. She is the author of Victorians Undone: Tales of the Flesh in the Age of Decorum and George Eliot: The Last Victorian.
Sherm
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch.
Genghis Glyph
ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itβs the best audiobook app Iβve used. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Nice Gnome
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator.
LoreLoomer
π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
Virgo Moon
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. π± Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward β this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. ππ« Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Uncle Psycho
Savoring stories has never been this smooth β this app's functionality is genius. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly.
Sw00sh
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Baby Brown
I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Nacho
Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
InsightfulInk
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Moon Laser
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Slow Trot
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. 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!
Tart Voodoo
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± 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± Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Solo Kill
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls β it's a joy to navigate. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Moon Peaches
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces.
Saint La-Z-Boy
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
Tan Stallion
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Bearded Angler
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Candy Butcher
No more worries about compatibility β ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings.
Doll Champagne
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
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