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
Wonder Lady
I've become addicted to this app β in the best possible way! Audiobook immersion without complications β this app's ease of use is commendable. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. 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!
Miss Fix It
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection β there's always something new to discover. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§ Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Don Stab
ποΈ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level β audiobooks make it an adventure! ππ With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Dez North
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Upper D3ckR
π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
Voodoo Cyclone
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. 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!
Screwtape
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
NexusNomad
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph.
Lady Fantastic
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Red Pepper
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Sassy Muffin
ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Acetic Princess
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Bugger
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. πΌ Making every minute count β this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. π±π CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Lucky Aurora
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Street Jolly
Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional.
Stacker of Wheat
π Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner β this app adds flavor to every meal! π²π I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Back Bett
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. π±π§
InsightInkwell
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Cosmic Presence
With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience.
Lava Nibbler
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience.
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