Book description
A magisterial history that recasts the Enlightenment as a period not solely consumed with rationale and reason, but rather as a pursuit of practical means to achieve greater human happiness. One of the formative periods of European and world history, the Enlightenment is the fountainhead of modern secular Western values: religious tolerance, freedom of thought, speech and the press, of rationality and evidence-based argument. Yet why, over three hundred years after it began, is the Enlightenment so profoundly misunderstood as controversial, the expression of soulless calculation? The answer may be that, to an extraordinary extent, we have accepted the account of the Enlightenment given by its conservative enemies: that enlightenment necessarily implied hostility to religion or support for an unfettered free market, or that this was "the best of all possible worlds". Ritchie Robertson goes back into the "long eighteenth century," from approximately 1680 to 1790, to reveal what this much-debated period was really about.Robertson returns to the era's original texts to show that above all, the Enlightenment was really about increasing human happiness - in this world rather than the next - by promoting scientific inquiry and reasoned argument. In so doing Robertson chronicles the campaigns mounted by some Enlightened figures against evils like capital punishment, judicial torture, serfdom and witchcraft trials, featuring the experiences of major figures like Voltaire and Diderot alongside ordinary people who lived through this extraordinary moment.In answering the question 'What is Enlightenment?' in 1784, Kant famously urged men and women above all to "have the courage to use your own intellect". Robertson shows how the thinkers of the Enlightenment did just that, seeking a well-rounded understanding of humanity in which reason was balanced with emotion and sensibility. Drawing on philosophy, theology, historiography and literature across the major western European languages, The Enlightenment is a master-class in big picture history about the foundational epoch of modern times.
Mafia Princess
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Santa's Little Helper
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Shady Prairie
I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Mauve Cactus
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. 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.
NexusNomad
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
RealmRanger
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RZR
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Jelly Camber
As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Pixie Taze
ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Forger
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
Trip
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Shimmy Shammy
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Toy Dogwatch
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
ZenaCake
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
LyRz
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories.
Sir Squire
I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Pyscho Hun
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
Snake Eyes
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true triumph. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Pistol Hydro
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am.
MythMaker
I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance β it's a must-have for any reader. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
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