Book description
A diverse history of the pipes--from inspiring terror on battlefields to enriching cultures worldwide.History's first named bagpiper is a man playing a pipe 'with a bag tucked under his armpit' in the first century CE. He was the Roman Emperor Nero. Since then, this improbable conflation of bag and sticks has become the world's most beloved and contested instrument. Another piping emperor, Tsar Peter the Great, decided that his departed pet bear would live on--as a bagpipe.This vivid history tells the long story of an instrument boasting over 130 varieties, yet commonly associated with just one, from one country: Scotland's Great Highland Bagpipe. In fact, the pipes are played across the globe, illuminating societies in remarkable, unexpected ways. Richard McLauchlan charts the rise of women pipers; investigates class, privilege and capitalism in the piping world; and explores how a 'national instrument' can shift in meaning amidst the currents of identity.The vibrancy and inventiveness of today's pipers showcase the allure of this fabled, fascinating instrument, to which McLauchlan is our surefooted guide.
Gothic Slacker
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Street Jolly
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Star Sword
The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Mantis Queen
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The Belgian
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π
Sly Bible
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go.
RoarSweetie
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in!
Day Hawk
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Show Boat
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. 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!
Nueva Nova
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Houston
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Rando Tank
Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
Darkside Isis
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Sir Shark
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages.
Chameleon
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Twin Blaze
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Steel Heart
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning.
Capital F
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Twisty Freesia
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Frosty Snazz
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way.
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