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.'Richly entertaining and perceptive. A revelation for pipers like me, and for anyone interested in how an instrument can transform culture.' - Alastair Campbell, author of But What Can I Do? and co-host of The Rest Is Politics'Historically insightful and full of character. Richard has captured the essence and beauty of piping's vibrant culture with historical, musical and characterful insight.' - Finlay MacDonald, world-renowned piper and composer'With infectious enthusiasm for his subject, Richard McLauchlan traces the cultural significance of the bagpipes across the globe and over many centuries. His multi-storied and learned account reveals the bagpipes' history to be just as intricate and variegated as the most complex piobaireachd/pibroch tunes showcased by its virtuosi practitioners.' - Clare Jackson, author of Devil-Land: England under Siege 1588-1688
ThoughtTraveler
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West Warrior
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Plegasus
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RedFisher
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Darkside Hooker
🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
Sugar Domino
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Genghis Glyph
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White Dragon
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Tall Honey
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Iron Jesus
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true triumph. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Shivers
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Sidewalk Enforcer
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Feral Filly
Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Riff Raff
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RiddleRover
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Darkside Hooker
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls.
Hen Skittle
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Alberta
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
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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