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.
Dr. WMD
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. 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
DollFaceKillah
Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Neophyte Believer
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Poptart AK47
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling.
Squatch
Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly.
LoreLoomer
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature! AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Chasm Face
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Dr. Jam Man
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
MythMaker
ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. 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!
Babe
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Voodoo Queen
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient.
Sugar Man
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience.
Star Killer
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
FearLeSS
Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Vermilion
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets!
Cool Iris
I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
GiddeeUP
I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit.
QuantumQuill
π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Coma Stalk
With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly.
Digital Equinox
ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§
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