Book description
A charming and indispensable tour of two thousand years of the written word, Shady Characters weaves a fascinating trail across the parallel histories of language and typography. Whether investigating the asterisk (*) and dagger (+)--which alternately illuminated and skewered heretical verses of the early Bible--or the at sign (@), which languished in obscurity for centuries until rescued by the Internet, Keith Houston draws on myriad sources to chart the life and times of these enigmatic squiggles, both exotic (ΒΆ) and everyday (&).From the Library of Alexandria to the halls of Bell Labs, figures as diverse as Charlemagne, Vladimir Nabokov, and George W. Bush cross paths with marks as obscure as the interrobang (?) and as divisive as the dash (--). Ancient Roman graffiti, Venetian trading shorthand, Cold War double agents, and Madison Avenue round out an ever more diverse set of episodes, characters, and artifacts.Richly illustrated, ranging across time, typographies, and countries, Shady Characters will delight and entertain all who cherish the unpredictable and surprising in the writing life.
About the Author
Keith Houston is the author of Shady Characters and The Book. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Mental Floss, BBC Culture, and on Time.com. He lives in Birmingham, England.
Evil Smith
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life.
Gullyway
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Rusty Vortex
The app's stability is impressive β it runs smoothly without any glitches. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. π₯ Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger β this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. π±π
Red Hot Kevorkian
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
Journeyman
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. π± Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward β this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. ππ« ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
Skool
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Guncap Slingbad
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers!
JK Friend
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again β but in a modern, convenient way. I've never been so entertained while doing household chores β this app is a lifesaver! ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. Savoring stories has never been this smooth β this app's functionality is genius. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Spitfire
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster.
Instant Star
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. ποΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. πΆπ Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Joker's Grin
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
K-9
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks.
Manly Reno
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π
BoomerBox
No more straining my eyes to read β now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files!
ForumFlare
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
Darkside Orbit
π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ± Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Spontan8ty
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions.
Mauve Cactus
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Silver Rose
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app.
LocKz
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
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