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
Senior Smurf
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. No need to convert files anymore – ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Night Magnet
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine – thank you! ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Bearded Angler
ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
All Natural
This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. 🎉 This app has ignited my passion for reading – I can't get enough of its convenience! 📚🔥
Night Magnet
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Shooter
I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
Impulsive Flower
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver.
Sherm
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
StormCake
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. 🚗📖 On-the-go listening has never been smoother – this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. 🚗📚 The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace.
Miss Twilight
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. 💡 Balancing learning and living effortlessly – audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! 🎧💫 Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds – this app's functionality is genius.
BlackExcalibur
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature!
BoomerBox
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Sun Lemon
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Miss Rum Punch
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Venom Petunia
🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
Star Jammer
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Knuckles
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps.
Clover Rabbit
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Troubled Chick
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Noisy Girl
🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 🌌 Elevating my reading routine – this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. 📚🔑
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