Book description
“A finely detailed, borderline obsessive history. . . . Oldstone-Moore is a sensitive observer, who dispenses ironies with a light hand; tonsorially enthralled as he may be, he also seems in on the joke. His style is clipping and spry, free from the haughty grandiloquence and leaden jargoneering that characterizes much academic writing. . . . His long view on our unshaven history is likely to stand unchallenged for some time.”— New York Times“A surprisingly interesting study of mankind’s love-hate relationship with facial hair.”— Wall Street Journal“Engaging . . . Readers will be enlightened as Oldstone-Moore links facial hair to gender perceptions, religious doctrine, military discipline, philosophical schools of thought, and more. . . . This is a great book for anyone who’s ever pondered why Jesus is portrayed with a beard, wondered about the origin of Hitler’s and Stalin’s mustaches, speculated why the Amish grow beards but shave their moustaches, or realized that no U.S. presidential candidate has sported facial hair since Dewey lost to Truman.”— Publishers Weekly, starred review“In Of Beards and Men, the historian Oldstone-Moore plumbs the many meanings of facial hair in Western history. . . . He writes well, and his erudition is impressive, enabling readers to learn all kinds of interesting things from this zigzag chronicle, which is basically a history of Western civilization as written on the faces of its leading men. Who knew, for example, that in 1968 Fidel Castro’s regime barred facial hair for students at Havana University?”— Washington Post“Much like growing a beard itself, the investment of time and patience (not to mention the occasional recombing) can be appreciated in hindsight. We learn that ancient Sumerians and Egyptians shaved to distinguish bearded lords from clean-shaven priests, and most of the gods of ancient Greece were portrayed as beardless while mortals were bearded. Oldstone-Moore devotes an entire chapter to explaining why Jesus was sometimes depicted with a beard and sometimes not—and it makes a lot of sense. . . . Of Beards and Men may not completely crack the code on facial hair, but once you've read it, it's unlikely you'll take any beard—or mustache—at face value again.”— Los Angeles Times“For everyone with a hirsute family member, a bearded patriarch, a fuzzy metro-sexual, here’s a great gift, a not-entirely-serious account of why and when men grow facial hair. . . . Of Beards and Men is a history of beards, which begins in ancient times and works its way to the modern day, demonstrating when beards were cool and when they were not.”— NPR Weekend“[A] sweeping work of follicular anthropology.”— Slate“Oldstone-Moore has a fantastic story to tell. . . He sees things other historians ignore and makes useful, even original connections. On Hitler and Stalin, he suggests that ‘an analysis of mustaches might have alerted the Western allies to the real possibility of German-Soviet agreement.’ Perhaps wary of being pigeonholed, he supplies two author photographs, one with a beard and one without. It’s typical of the care, attention and dry wit to be found throughout this wholly admirable book.”— Daily Mail, book of the week“Symbolically speaking, human beings have been tugging on beards for as long as we’ve had tools to shave them with. Oldstone-Moore’s book comes at a time of newly sprouted interest in the meaning of facial hair. . . . The social and political consequences of beardedness are at the heart of Oldstone-Moore’s curiosity-packed, if rather dry, scholarly study of his subject.”— Boston Globe“Entertaining.”— Times London“Oldstone-Moore argues that throughout history, beards–or the lack thereof–have been used by religious and political leaders, as well as common men, as essential elements to creating group identity. In the Middle Ages, Catholic priests who chose to sport a beard could be excommunicated by the church, whose canonical laws required priests to be clean-shaven.”— Atlas Obscura“A well-timed study, in this day when hipsters have become the latest to lay enthusiastic claim to the beard and the moustache.”— National Book Review“We tumble through a series of lively case studies that illustrate those changing conceptions of masculinity Oldstone-Moore supposes changing attitudes to facial hair to represent. Despite excursions into the ancient, and the contemporary, Middle East, the focus remains on Western culture: Jesus’s beard; Lincoln’s beard; Hitler’s mustache.”— Independent“Oldstone-Moore is also good at retrieving smaller clippings of cultural history, such as Tarzan’s decision to define his identity as Lord of the Apes by shaving, or the fact that voters tend not to elect bearded politicians, presumably because they worry that someone whose face cannot be seen clearly may have something to hide. . . . This scholarly and entertaining book does a fine job of showing that facial hair is itself something of a cultural blank—a little screen on to which we project all manner of fantasies and fears.”— Telegraph“Of Beards and Men is a fascinating, occasionally dizzying depiction of the oscillation between acceptance and prohibition of facial hair.”— Toronto Star“The history of civilization as we know it has been humankind's struggle to overcome nature, to assert order where entropy rules. But, as Oldstone-Moore writes in his book Of Beards and Men, each of us play out a microcosm of that struggle every morning in our personal grooming decisions.”— Esquire“Oldstone-Moore can be brilliant when teasing out the meanings of specific beards. There’s a bravura passage on why Christ is clean-shaven in some early images and bearded in others.”— Spectator“Perhaps the most striking thing about Of Beards and Men is the revelation of one’s own ignorance: who knew that such a fascinating through-line ran amid history, which itself ends up telling us so much about sexuality, gender, religiosity and sexual attraction? Oldstone-Moore has done so much more than to avoid easy tropes and clichéd representations of facial hair and the men who wear it. Of Beards and Men is a sober and sensible but arresting walk through not simply a history of masculinity, but also the changing face of gender, sexuality, what’s what in the world of cultural acceptance, and the world’s changing tides of thought.”— PopMatters“Oldstone-Moore poses weighty questions. Are beards now regarded as signs of grunty masculinity or nonconformity? Is designer stubble a modish denigration of the real beard? How confusing do the signals get when many gay subcultures go for the hairy look? . . . A good, informative read.”— New Zealand Listener“To shave or not to shave, that is the question. Oldstone-Moore’s crackling collage of historical beard-abilia gave me new found respect for my scruff.”— Simon Doonan“Written in a very lively, witty, and accessible manner, Of Beards and Men is ambitious and compelling, surveying an impressive amount of material across a broad sweep of time. It wears its learning lightly, and Oldstone-Moore’s fluid and witty prose makes the book eminently readable. A real page-turner!”— Christopher E. Forth, author of Masculinity in the Modern West“Beards have always been about power, politics and how men perform notions of masculinity in a given era. Oldstone-Moore fills in some of the missing history with a scholarly and entertaining pogonological romp from pre-history to the post-modern.”— Allan Peterkin, author of One Thousand Beards: A Cultural History of Facial Hair“The changing fashions in male facial hair are the subject of this fascinating book—a subject not as incidental or trivial as it might appear. How men have displayed beards, mustaches, or shaven faces through the ages has an interesting intellectual history behind it. . . .This well-written book abounds in provocative information, anecdote, and illustrations. It is highly recommended.”— Key Reporter“Fascinating.”— Economic Times jQuery(function() { jQuery( "#tabs" ).tabs(); });
VisionVortex
Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Prez Dog
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends.
Good William
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable.
Lava Nibbler
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available – there's something for everyone. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
101
ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
Impulse
ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Winter Underdog
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. 📚🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Capital F
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner.
Doz
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail.
MuseMaster
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Mr. Spy
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. 💡 Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks – this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. 📱📖 ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
Pepper
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. 🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
Cabbie
📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟 ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable.
Wonder Lady
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story!
Lightweight
This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits – it's a game-changer. 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚
Sky Bully
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening.
EchoEnigma
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
Delirious Supernova
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Irish Dze
🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
TrixiePhany
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
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