Book description
A thrillingly provocative investigation into the Shakespeare authorship question, exploring how doubting that William Shakespeare wrote his plays became an act of blasphemy...and who the Bard might really be. The theory that Shakespeare may not have written the works that bear his name is the most horrible, vexed, unspeakable subject in the history of English literature. Scholars admit that the Bard's biography is a "black hole," yet to publicly question the identity of the god of English literature is unacceptable, even (some say) "immoral." In Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies, journalist and literary critic Elizabeth Winkler sets out to probe the origins of this literary taboo. Whisking readers from London to Stratford-upon-Avon to Washington, DC, she pulls back the curtain to show how the forces of nationalism and empire, religion and mythmaking, gender and class have shaped our admiration for Shakespeare across the centuries. As she considers the writers and thinkers--from Walt Whitman to Sigmund Freud to Supreme Court justices--who have grappled with the riddle of the plays' origins, she explores who may perhaps have been hiding behind his name. A forgotten woman? A disgraced aristocrat? A government spy? Hovering over the mystery are Shakespeare's plays themselves, with their love for mistaken identities, disguises, and things never quite being what they seem. As she interviews scholars and skeptics, Winkler's interest turns to the larger problem of historical truth--and of how human imperfections (bias, blindness, subjectivity) shape our construction of the past. History is a story, and the story we find may depend on the story we're looking for. An irresistible work of literary detection, Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies will forever change how you think of Shakespeare... and of how we as a society decide what's up for debate and what's just nonsense, just heresy.
MythMaker
ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Intimidating Presence
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs.
Risen
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Black Firefly
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
RealmRanger
ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Friday Fox
π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
Queen Ginger
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Subzero Taffy
ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Shadow Gal
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π« The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Toy Dogwatch
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³
MuseMaster
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Doughboy, Esq
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³
Kabuki
Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling.
Jersey
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Houston Rocket
The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Electric Saturn
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ±
Burn
ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Reed Lady
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Murmur
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Midnight Bat
This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. ππ§ The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
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