Book description
A rich portrait of a compelling, complex woman who emerged from a sheltered rural childhood into the fraught, often deadly world of the French royal court and Parisian high society--and who would come to rule them both. Married off at sixteen to a military officer she barely knew, Marie de Vignerot was intended to lead an ordinary aristocratic life, produce heirs, and quietly assist the men in her family rise to prominence. Instead, she became a widow at eighteen and rose to become the indispensable and highly visible right-hand of the most powerful figure in French politics--the ruthless Cardinal Richelieu. Richelieu was her uncle and, as he lay dying, the Cardinal broke with tradition and entrusted her, above his male heirs, with his vast fortune. She would go on to shape her country's political, religious, and cultural life as the unconventional and independent Duchesse d'Aiguillon in ways that reverberated across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Marie de Vignerot was respected, beloved, and feared by churchmen, statesmen, financiers, writers, artists, and even future canonized saints. Many would owe their careers and eventual historical legacies to her patronage and her enterprising labor and vision. Pope Alexander VII and even the Sun King, Louis XIV, would defer to her. She was one of the most intelligent, accomplished, and occasionally ruthless French leaders of the seventeenth century. Yet, as all too often happens to great women in history, she was all but forgotten by modern times. La Duchesse is the first fully researched modern biography of Vignerot, putting her onto center stage in the histories of France and the globalizing Catholic Church where she belongs. In these pages, we see Marie navigate scandalous accusations and intrigue to creatively and tenaciously champion the people and causes she cared about. We also see her engage with fascinating personalities such as Queen Marie de Mรฉdici and influence French imperial ambitions and the Fronde Civil War. Filled with adventure and daring, art and politics, La Duchesse establishes Vignerot as a figure without whom France's storied Golden Age cannot be fully understood.
Uncle Buddy
With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Starshine
The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. ๐ My audiobook haven โ this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ๐๐
Clover Rabbit
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ๐ผ Workday blues? Not anymore โ this app turns my office hours into reading time! ๐ป๐ ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Exploring stories as I stroll โ audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. ๐๏ธ๐ง Audiobook immersion without complications โ this app's ease of use is commendable.
Good-lookinโ
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Mr. Gadget
Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes โ options galore to suit everyone's preferences. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
MythMaker
I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
MuseMaster
CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
Demo
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser โ a time-saver! Effortless and enriching โ that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. ๐ฑ๐ 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. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Dove Dolce
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Scratch Man
This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go โ it's like carrying a library in my pocket. ๐ง Elevating my reading experience โ this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Sultan of Speed
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Devine Melon
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ๐๐ฑ I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itโs a unique feature. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Day Hawk
The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackโit's all up to me! ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
DZE
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. ๐งโโ๏ธ Finding zen in the art of listening โ this app takes mindfulness to a new level! ๐งโโ๏ธ๐ง ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking.
Minty Devil
I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality โ it's evident in every feature. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. The app never crashes. Itโs reliable and stable.
Toy Peep
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! I'm addicted to this app โ it's like having a library in my pocket. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itโs a fun feature.
MuseMaster
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! ListenBook is more than just an app โ it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend! The app is so reliable. Iโve never had any issues with it.
Lady Q
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable โ this app's design is a triumph.
Plenty Orange
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. I'm addicted to this app โ it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Treasure Devil
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. I can't get enough of this app's convenience โ it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze โ this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. ๐ฑ๐ The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
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