Book description
From the acclaimed author of Brunelleschi's Dome and Leonardo and the Last Supper, the riveting story of how Michelangelo, against all odds, created the masterpiece that has ever since adorned the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. In 1508, despite strong advice to the contrary, the powerful Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo Buonarroti to paint the ceiling of the newly restored Sistine Chapel in Rome. Despite having completed his masterful statue David four years earlier, he had little experience as a painter, even less working in the delicate medium of fresco, and none with challenging curved surfaces such as the Sistine ceiling's vaults. The temperamental Michelangelo was himself reluctant: He stormed away from Rome, incurring Julius's wrath, before he was eventually persuaded to begin. Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling recounts the fascinating story of the four extraordinary years he spent laboring over the twelve thousand square feet of the vast ceiling, while war and the power politics and personal rivalries that abounded in Rome swirled around him. A panorama of illustrious figures intersected during this time-the brilliant young painter Raphael, with whom Michelangelo formed a rivalry; the fiery preacher Girolamo Savonarola and the great Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus; a youthful Martin Luther, who made his only trip to Rome at this time and was disgusted by the corruption all around him. Ross King blends these figures into a magnificent tapestry of day-to-day life on the ingenious Sistine scaffolding and outside in the upheaval of early-sixteenth-century Italy, while also offering uncommon insight into the connection between art and history.
Delicious Cupid
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Swedish Twizz
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
Stud
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. The app's performance is remarkable – it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
Winded On Friday
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚 The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Y0dler
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Killer Curio
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. 📱 No more lugging around heavy books – this app brings the library to my phone! 📚📱 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!
Nightmare King
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. 📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Mrs. Voltage
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Alias Stick
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Flint Cast-Iron
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Twisty Freesia
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves!
LerveDr
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. 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! 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.
Roadblock
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done! ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Midnight Bat
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
Eye Candy Kitten
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
Swampmasher
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. 💪 Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features – audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! 💼🎧 User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy.
Brick Mooch
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Mr. Gadget
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
Pocket Muzzie
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks.
Delicious Wing
⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 🛌 Indulging in soothing bedtime stories – this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. 🌙📚 With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything!
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