Book description
A vibrant look at an unsettled and strangely familiar time that overturns our assumptions about the history of magic. Imagine: it's the year 1600 and you've lost your precious silver spoons, or maybe they've been stolen. Perhaps your child has a fever. Or you're facing a trial. Maybe you're looking for love or escaping a husband. What do you do? In medieval and early modern Europe, your first port of call might have been cunning folk: practitioners of "service magic." Neither feared (like witches), nor venerated (like saints), they were essential to daily life. For people across ages, genders, and social ranks, practical magic was a cherished resource for navigating life's many challenges. In historian Tabitha Stanmore's beguiling account, we meet lovelorn widows, dissolute nobles, selfless healers, and renegade monks. We listen in on Queen Elizabeth I's astrology readings and track treasure hunters trying to unearth buried gold without upsetting the fairies that guard it. Much like us, premodern people lived in a bewildering world, buffeted by forces beyond their control. As Stanmore reveals, their faith in magic has much to teach about how to accommodate the irrational in our allegedly enlightened lives today. Charming in every sense, Cunning Folk is at once an immersive reconstruction of a bygone era and a thought-provoking commentary on the beauty and bafflement of being human.
About the Author
Tabitha Stanmore, PhD, is a specialist in medieval and early modern magic. She is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Exeter, UK, the first university to offer a master's degree in occult history. She has been interviewed on BBC Radio and TV. Her monograph, Love Spells and Lost Treasure, was published by Cambridge University Press in 2022. Cunning Folk is her first book for general readers.
Coldy
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a true marvel. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
SWAT Honey
This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Highway
CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Flakes
β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Palomino
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Hemingway Mirmillone
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Bad Beh8vior
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ
Steel Solstice
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app.
Grinch Cheese
I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences.
PP Dubs
π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze.
Ladysmith
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes β options galore to suit everyone's preferences.
Twinkle Cutlass
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. π Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner β this app adds flavor to every meal! π²π Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Tough Nut
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Sun Leo
Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Toe
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place.
Cujo
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go.
Master Jetson
πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
High Kingdom Warrior
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze.
3D Waffle
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Killer Grenade
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. 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! ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback.
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