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.
Poppy Coffee
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Chuckles
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind β and this app is my partner in crime. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π
Midnight Rider
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a winner. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Mule Skinner
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Spit Turanga
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Twinkle Cutlass
This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Sugar Apple
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient!
Girl Brownie
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Ember Master
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Round Kick Boomer
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
GiddeeUP
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§
Demolition Queen
π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. 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.
Foot-long Fry
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Capital F
π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place! I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books.
Zod
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ
Widow Curio
I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience! I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Joker's Grin
The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Moon Laser
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Blink
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Starshine
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze.
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