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.
Burst Nibbler
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Vicious Street
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Burn
The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
MuseMaster
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 โ it shows their dedication to excellence. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
Nessie Pork
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content โ it's a real game-changer. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Sandbox
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
ChatterChampion
This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. ๐ Unveiling the joy of reading once again โ this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ๐๐
Kamikaze Granny
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Murmur
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move โ it's like having a tutor by my side. โฐ Maximizing my time with efficient features โ this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. ๐โณ
Waylay Dave
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Corny
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Thunder Tank
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Pink C
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BuffFreak
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
High Heel Goddess
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ๐๐ง
Lumberyard
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ๐๐ The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is so well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Midas
Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Canine Hannibal
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. ๐ฑ Audiobooks at my fingertips โ this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ๐๐ฅ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Cupid Dust
ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. ListenBookโs interface is clean and intuitive. Itโs a joy to use.
Mother Night
I've found my new favorite way to relax โ cuddled up with an audiobook. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
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