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
Screwtape
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ«
Roller Girl
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
Snow Cream
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Bad Princess
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
Voodoo Queen
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
WonderWords
πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ
CuriousCrafter
I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Mum Mary
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. Efficient audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is a revelation.
Marigold Loot
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. Audiobook immersion without fuss β this app's ease of use is commendable. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Mr. Spy
Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app. I love the auto-rewind feature. Itβs great for when I zone out.
New York Sixlet
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Sassy Muffin
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. 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.
RiddleRanger
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ
RawSkills
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ
JigKraken
Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§ Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Frosty Sunshine
I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§ Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Racy Lady
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
Mud Pie Man
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate β it's like they know my taste perfectly! With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
Disco Thunder
π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
All Natural
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive.
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