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.
JigKraken
πΌ Enhancing work-from-home productivity β audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. π»π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Mad Rascal
πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Howitzer Rise
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
Fire Feline
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
180
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. ListenBookβs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
JigKraken
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Daffy Neo
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening.
Take Away
I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Doz Killer
Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Hitch Frenzy
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient.
Spunky Chick
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Proper
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature.
Eight Patrol
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Doz Killer
This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Toolmaker
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RealmRanger
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection.
Duke Electro
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Audiobook enjoyment redefined β this app's design focuses on the essentials.
RedFisher
I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π« πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. ππ§ The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Lord Theus
Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Alberta
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
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