Book description
From Neanderthal string to 3D knitting, an "expansive" global history that highlights "how textiles truly changed the world" (Wall Street Journal)The story of humanity is the story of textiles--as old as civilization itself. Since the first thread was spun, the need for textiles has driven technology, business, politics, and culture.In The Fabric of Civilization, Virginia Postrel synthesizes groundbreaking research from archaeology, economics, and science to reveal a surprising history. From Minoans exporting wool colored with precious purple dye to Egypt, to Romans arrayed in costly Chinese silk, the cloth trade paved the crossroads of the ancient world. Textiles funded the Renaissance and the Mughal Empire; they gave us banks and bookkeeping, Michelangelo's David and the Taj Mahal. The cloth business spread the alphabet and arithmetic, propelled chemical research, and taught people to think in binary code. Assiduously researched and deftly narrated, The Fabric of Civilization tells the story of the world's most influential commodity."We are taken on a journey as epic, and varying, as the Silk Road itself.... [The Fabric of Civilization is] like a swatch of a Florentine Renaissance brocade: carefully woven, the technique precise, the colors a mix of shade and shine and an accurate representation of the whole cloth."--New York Times"Textile-making hasn't gotten enough credit for its own sophistication, and for all the ways it undergirds human technological innovation--an error Virginia Postrel's erudite and complete book goes a long way toward correcting at last."--Wired
Osprey
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
PixelPathfinder
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Gas Man
This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Electric Saturn
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. 📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 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. 📚👏 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
Twix Esses
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits.
Crash Test
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out.
57 Pixels
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Knuckles
This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. Simplifying my reading routine – this app's ease of use is remarkable. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening.
Ship Whip
Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
SkyGod
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
Wooden German
This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Soiled Dove
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Flint Cast-Iron
Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Are Ess Tee
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Mad Robin
This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Gas Man
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content.
Mr. 44
I'm addicted to this app – it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Fresh Peper
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Pompeii Unicorn
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Chocolate Thunder
💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉 Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
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