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
Dr. Jam Man
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Stud Buster
π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
ByteBard
π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories β this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. π±π§ With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Black Walnut
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Disco Potato
The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app!
WordWanderer
πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§ Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate.
Goldman
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again β but in a modern, convenient way. ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. Effortless and enriching β 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. π±π
Slint FUBAR
Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Bambi Benz
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ 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!
Sun Leo
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
ByteBard
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Koi Diva
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Ella of Light
This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§
Trixie
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Berry Succubus
The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Storm Master
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Romance Guppy
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Sexy
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π
Osprey
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive.
Spicy Thunder
ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineβgood narration, decent storyβbut it didnβt leave a lasting impression. If youβre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
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