Book description
How architectural monuments survived and historical preservation was reinvented during the destructions of the twentieth century. The twentieth century was highly destructive, but from its landscapes of ruins was born a new architectural type: the cultural monument. In the wake of World War I, an international movement arose which aimed to protect architectural monuments in large numbers, and regardless of style, hoping not only to keep them safe from future conflicts but also to make them worthy of protection from more quotidian forms of destruction. An evolving group—including architects, intellectuals, art historians, archaeologists, curators, and lawyers—grew out of the new diplomacy of the League of Nations. During and after World War II, it became affiliated with the Allied Military Government and was eventually absorbed by the UN as UNESCO. By the 1970s, this organization had begun granting World Heritage status to a global register of significant sites—from buildings to bridges, shrines to city centers, ruins to colossi.Examining key episodes in the history of this preservation effort—including projects for the Parthenon, the Cathedral of St-Lô, the temples of Abu Simbel, and the Bamyian Buddahs —Lucia Allais demonstrates how the group deployed the notion of culture to shape architectural sites, and how architecture in turn shaped the very idea of global culture. Designs of Destruction emphasizes how the technical project of ensuring various buildings’ longevity jolted preservation into establishing a transnational set of codes, values, and practices. At the same time, this paradoxically helped integrate technologies of destruction—from bombs to bulldozers—into cultural governance. Designs of Destruction not only offers a fascinating narrative of cultural diplomacy, based on extensive archival findings; it also contributes an important new chapter in the intellectual history of modernity by showing the manifold ways architectural form is charged with concretizing abstract ideas and ideals, even in its destruction.
EchoEmissary
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
RetroMirage
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Drift
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
JesterZilla
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. 🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚
Sugar Man
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Microwave Chardonnay
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Star Jammer
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
True Sweetness
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Diamond Gamer
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Unseen
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. ⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧 Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Prone
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
JigKraken
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. 🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗
ManBreaker
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's design is a game-changer. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind.
Curio
Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
Digital Equinox
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Queen Ginger
Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Fire Bite
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process – I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. 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!
Pigeon Woman
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
High Woo
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch.
Trash Master
🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content.
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