Book description
The preeminent meditation on plagues and pandemics from the Islamic world, now in English for the first time A Penguin Classic Six hundred years ago, the author of this landmark work of history and religious thought--an esteemed judge, poet, and scholar in Cairo--survived the bubonic plague, which took the lives of three of his children, not to mention tens of millions of others throughout the medieval world. Holding up an eerie mirror to our own time, he reflects on the origins of plagues--from those of the Prophet Muhammad's era to the Black Death of his own--and what it means that such catastrophes could have been willed by God, while also chronicling the fear, isolation, scapegoating, economic tumult, political failures, and crises of faith that he lived through. But in considering the meaning of suffering and mass death, he also offers a message of radical hope. Weaving together accounts of evil jinn, religious stories, medical manuals, death-count registers, poetry, and the author's personal anecdotes, Merits of the Plague is a profound reminder that with tragedy comes one of the noblest expressions of our humanity: the practice of compassion, patience, and care for those around us.
LunaStar
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Canine Hannibal
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Murmur
Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Sapiens
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. I'm amazed by the variety of genres available – there's something for everyone.
BuzzMouse
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators – they add a unique charm to each book. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 The interface is so clean and clutter-free. It’s a pleasure to use. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
StorySculptor
I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Murmur
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! ⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Queen Bee
Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. ⭐️ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures – this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! 👚🎧
MysticMingle
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move – it's like having a tutor by my side.
Bleeker
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. I love the car mode. It’s so convenient for listening while driving. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
LuminaLore
I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Roadspike
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. 📖🔊
3D Waffle
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
Potato Sub
Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚 Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
White Snare
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Good William
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. 💼 Enhancing work-from-home productivity – audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. 💻📖 Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
Wildcat Appaloosa
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey.
Eye Devil
Savoring audiobooks without fuss – this app's design is impressive. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Gas Man
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Pluto
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
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