Book description
A "sharp and entertaining" (The Wall Street Journal) exploration of fashion through the ages that asks what our clothing reveals about ourselves and our society. Dress codes are as old as clothing itself. For centuries, clothing has been a wearable status symbol; fashion, a weapon in struggles for social change; and dress codes, a way to maintain political control. Merchants dressing like princes and butchers' wives wearing gem-encrusted crowns were public enemies in medieval societies structured by social hierarchy and defined by spectacle. In Tudor England, silk, velvet, and fur were reserved for the nobility, and ballooning pants called "trunk hose" could be considered a menace to good order. The Renaissance-era Florentine patriarch Cosimo de Medici captured the power of fashion and dress codes when he remarked, "One can make a gentleman from two yards of red cloth." Dress codes evolved along with the social and political ideals of the day, but they always reflected struggles for power and status. In the 1700s, South Carolina's "Negro Act" made it illegal for Black people to dress "above their condition." In the 1920s, the bobbed hair and form-fitting dresses worn by free-spirited flappers were banned in workplaces throughout the United States, and in the 1940s, the baggy zoot suits favored by Black and Latino men caused riots in cities from coast to coast. Even in today's more informal world, dress codes still determine what we wear, when we wear it--and what our clothing means. People lose their jobs for wearing braided hair, long fingernails, large earrings, beards, and tattoos or refusing to wear a suit and tie or make-up and high heels. In some cities, wearing sagging pants is a crime. And even when there are no written rules, implicit dress codes still influence opportunities and social mobility. Silicon Valley CEOs wear t-shirts and flip-flops, setting the tone for an entire industry: women wearing fashionable dresses or high heels face ridicule in the tech world, and some venture capitalists refuse to invest in any company run by someone wearing a suit. In Dress Codes, law professor and cultural critic Richard Thompson Ford presents a "deeply informative and entertaining" (The New York Times Book Review) history of the laws of fashion from the middle ages to the present day, a walk down history's red carpet to uncover and examine the canons, mores, and customs of clothing--rules that we often take for granted. After reading Dress Codes, you'll never think of fashion as superficial again--and getting dressed will never be the same.
Disco Thunder
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Show Off
πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Darkside Hooker
πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Prez Dog
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
Stallion Patton
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving.
NightWonka
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Serendipity
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. 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 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
Wrangler Jim
The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Jetta Talent
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Show Boat
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Wheels
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
Thumb Candy
Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is remarkable. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
QuestWeaver
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π«
Preach Man
This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps.
Snapple Whistler
πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Lounge Master
πΌ Workday blues? Not anymore β this app turns my office hours into reading time! π»π Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ππ§ I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Moon Cricket
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Star Sword
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively.
Lope Lope
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Romance Guppy
Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
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