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.
Alley Frog
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π βοΈ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ππ
Waylay Dave
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. 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!
Zesty Dragon
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! Efficient audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is a revelation.
Steel Heart
πΆββοΈπ Exploring stories as I stroll β audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. ποΈπ§ I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Necromancer
π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ±
Spunky Comet
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Stone Boomstick
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience.
Moon Laser
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate β it's like they know my taste perfectly! Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings.
CyberScribe
I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Napoleonic Haze
This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries.
RealmRanger
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Eye Candy Kitten
With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
General Finish
Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Cabbie
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Admiral Tot
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
Omega Sub
π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
PP Dubs
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
Barbwire
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. ππ Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
NeoGermal
Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Steel
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. πΆββοΈπ Staying entertained during leisurely walks β audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! πΆββοΈπ§ Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a winner.
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