Book description
A Wolfson History Prize FinalistA New Statesman Book of the YearA Sunday Times Book of the Year "Timely and authoritative...I enjoyed it immensely."--Philip Pullman "If you care about books, and if you believe we must all stand up to the destruction of knowledge and cultural heritage, this is a brilliant read--both powerful and prescient."--Elif Shafak Libraries have been attacked since ancient times but they have been especially threatened in the modern era, through war as well as willful neglect. Burning the Books describes the deliberate destruction of the knowledge safeguarded in libraries from Alexandria to Sarajevo, from smashed Assyrian tablets to the torching of the Library of Congress. The director of the world-famous Bodleian Libraries, Richard Ovenden, captures the political, religious, and cultural motivations behind these acts. He also shines a light on the librarians and archivists preserving history and memory, often risking their lives in the process. More than simply repositories for knowledge, libraries support the rule of law and inspire and inform citizens. Ovenden reminds us of their social and political importance, challenging us to protect and support these essential institutions. "Wonderful...full of good stories and burning with passion."--Sunday Times "The sound of a warning vibrates through this book."--The Guardian "Essential reading for anyone concerned with libraries and what Ovenden outlines as their role in 'the support of democracy, the rule of law and open society.'"--Wall Street Journal "Ovenden emphasizes that attacks on books, archives, and recorded information are the usual practice of authoritarian regimes."--Michael Dirda, Washington Post
Steel Cut Toe
With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Dahlia
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π«
Z-Boy
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! 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!
Boo
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Eight Patrol
This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Metal Aphrodite
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by!
Vixen
I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Mercury Reborn
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. Savoring stories has never been this smooth β this app's functionality is genius. Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving.
ThoughtTracer
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner.
Crash Override
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Burst Nibbler
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π
Paris Boost
π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks.
Journeyman
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable.
Slinger
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Mr. Alien
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy!
Ship Whip
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Saturn Extreme
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Casanova
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met.
The Beekeeper
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations β it's like the app knows me! The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
Cujo
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged.
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