Book description
"The beauty and levity that Perry and Gabriele have captured in this book are what I think will help it to become a standard text for general audiences for years to come....The Bright Ages is a rare thing--a nuanced historical work that almost anyone can enjoy reading."--Slate"Incandescent and ultimately intoxicating." --The Boston GlobeA lively and magisterial popular history that refutes common misperceptions of the European Middle Ages, showing the beauty and communion that flourished alongside the dark brutality--a brilliant reflection of humanity itself.The word "medieval" conjures images of the "Dark Ages"--centuries of ignorance, superstition, stasis, savagery, and poor hygiene. But the myth of darkness obscures the truth; this was a remarkable period in human history. The Bright Ages recasts the European Middle Ages for what it was, capturing this 1,000-year era in all its complexity and fundamental humanity, bringing to light both its beauty and its horrors. The Bright Ages takes us through ten centuries and crisscrosses Europe and the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa, revisiting familiar people and events with new light cast upon them. We look with fresh eyes on the Fall of Rome, Charlemagne, the Vikings, the Crusades, and the Black Death, but also to the multi-religious experience of Iberia, the rise of Byzantium, and the genius of Hildegard and the power of queens. We begin under a blanket of golden stars constructed by an empress with Germanic, Roman, Spanish, Byzantine, and Christian bloodlines and end nearly 1,000 years later with the poet Dante--inspired by that same twinkling celestial canopy--writing an epic saga of heaven and hell that endures as a masterpiece of literature today. The Bright Ages reminds us just how permeable our manmade borders have always been and of what possible worlds the past has always made available to us. The Middle Ages may have been a world "lit only by fire" but it was one whose torches illuminated the magnificent rose windows of cathedrals, even as they stoked the pyres of accused heretics. The Bright Ages contains an 8-page color insert.
New York Winder
I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process – I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
ThoughtTrailblazer
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature!
RZR
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EchoEmissary
This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. 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.
Turnip King
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
Sky
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Pepper Prada
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Earl of Arms
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Sofa King
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless.
Scooby Did
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Nutmeg
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. 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! A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Day Hawk
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Mad Viral
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Trigger Warming
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. 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!
Swedish Pixie
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BoomerBox
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
Texas Butterfly
ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Trigger Warming
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is a true gift. The app's performance is remarkable – it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
ForumFusion
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook!
Spitfire
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. 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!
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