Book description
"One of the most profound and illuminating studies of this century to have been published in recent decades. . . . A fascinating interpretation of the growth of the modern state. . . . Scott presents a formidable argument against using the power of the state in an attempt to reshape the whole of society."—John Gray, New York Times Book Review"Illuminating and beautifully written, this book calls into sharp relief the nature of the world we now inhabit."—New Yorker"James C. Scott has written a powerful, and in many insightful, explanation as to why grandiose programs of social reform, not to mention revolution, so often end in tragedy—the Soviet disaster being the textbook case. . . . He has produced an important critique of visionary state planning."—Robert Heilbroner, Lingua Franca"[An] important book. . . . The author's choice of cases is fascinating and goes well beyond the familiar ones like Soviet collectivization."—Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs"In a treatment that can only be termed brilliant, [Scott] has produced a major contribution to developmental literature. . . . This is a book of seminal importance for comparative politics and, indeed, for the social sciences. Highly recommended."—Choice"Mr. Scott tells the story in witty, sparkling prose of these (Lenin, Mao, Pol Pot, among others) relentless social engineers and how they tried to impose for all eternity a perfect social order or an urban blueprint, regardless of human cost and unremitting human refractoriness."—Washington Times"An important and powerful work that deserves to be read by anyone interested in large-scale public planning. . . . Among the book's virtues are its lucid style, deep learning, and wide range of fascinating cases."—Gideon Rose, Washington Monthly"Where Seeing Like a State is original, and often startling so, is in its meticulous accumulation of empirical evidence that describes the failure of grandiose state projects to improve the human condition."—Brian C. Anderson, Public Interest"Seeing Like a State is a worldly, academic synthesis of the destructive hubris of large-scale rational planning. . . . What Scott does that is brilliant is talk about how states and large institutions acquire the knowledge that they ultimately use to govern."—Michael Schrage, Across the Board"Its global focus, its attention to issues of environment and economic development too often ignored by non profits scholars, and its impressive grasp of how organizations work, recommend it to anyone seriously interested in the future of public life."—Peter Dobkin Hall, ARNOVA News"Scott’s book is a paean to human liberty, a very complicated paean. . . . This book [owes] much of its value to the details of the particular case studies, and to Scott’s enthusiasm and ingenuity in seeing links among apparently different human projects. He has written a remarkably interesting book on social engineering."—Cass R. Sunstein, New Republic"In Seeing Like a State James Scott has given us powerful new paradigms of state action and popular resistance. His work is sure to inspire new thinking and research in history and social sciences."—Fred Murphy, Reader’s Catalog"Brilliant . . . [Scott] has produced a major contribution to developmental literature . . . this is a book of seminal importance for comparative politics and indeed, for the social sciences."—Choice"Scott’s book . . . is an important and powerful work that deserves to be read by anyone interested in large-scale public planning. . . . Among the book’s virtues are its lucid style, deep learning, and wide range of fascinating cases."—Gideon Rose, Washington Monthly"Seeing Like a State is a worldly, academic synthesis of the destructive hubris of large-scale rational planning. . . . Scott . . . takes a few powerful but basic themes and builds a persuasive case against what he calls 'High Modernism.' High Modernism, in essence, is the ideology of grand rational planners whose initiatives are based on the perfectibility of man. What Scott does that is brilliant is talk about how states and large institutions acquire the knowledge that they ultimately use to govern."—Michael Schrage, Across the Board"Seeing Like a State has a great deal of merit. In exploring the sensorium of a Leviathan, Scott is standing on the shoulders of Foucault, but he has opened up an important issue to popular debate."—Gary Sturgess, Policy"Seeing Like a State remains a tremendous achievement, easily one of the most impressive and important books of recent years."—Jesse Walker, Reason"This is a book rich in ideas and arguments."—Ronald Grigor Suny, Slavic Review"This is a magisterial book. . . . Scott's conceptual contributions will have a profound impact on our own making sense of the world."—David D. Laitin, Journal of Interdisciplinary History "A lucid and richly illustrated study. . . . While the book itself is a tour de force, Scott's final destination in the conclusion is a personal and passionate argument for liberal democracy . . . as the only practical means of harmonizing local experience with the responsibilities of statecraft. Scholars and policy planners concerned with Africa have much to learn from Scott's methodology and his message."—James C. McCann, International Journal of African Historical Studies"James Scott's tantalizing treatise invites us to ponder carefully the tragedies of modern state interventions as we struggle to recognize the resources people have to qualify those efforts and pursue possibilities for improving the future."—R. Bin Wong, Political Science Quarterly"Scott's scholarship is formidable, his insights many, his rich detail usually stilling criticism. . . . This is a book of powerful case studies."—Michael Mann, American Journal of Sociology"This is an enjoyable read. . . . Scott has made a valuable contribution to comparative development literature by distilling bout some of the essential features of development plans to show how they cause failure. . . . Hopefully his insights will lead to changes in development planning to avoid the pitfalls he identifies."—Sharon R. Murphy, Review of Politics"An engrossing book that formulates some big ideas with a sweeping and inventive register of examples, Seeing Like a State promises to join an ever-growing list of works by James Scott destined to achieve that most desirable of academic fates—longevity."—Akil Gupta, Journal of Asian Studies"This is a book to which the highest words of praise, those most thriftily dispensed, are justly applied. It amounts to a brilliant, dense, fascinating and—rarest of all in academic publishing—prophetic case against the hubris of what it calls high-modernist planning and for the respect of both local knowledge and conditions of complex diversity. It deserves a wide reading across disciplines and beyond the university."—Roger Epp, Canadian Journal of Political ScienceWinner of the 2000 Mattei Dogan Award 2015 Wildavsky Award for Enduring Contribution to Policy Studies, from the Public Policy Section of the American Political Science Association"The 'perfection' Scott so rightly and with such tremendous skill and erudition debunks in his book he himself has nearly reached, as far as positing and presenting the problem is concerned. The case of what the order-crazy mind is capable of doing and why we need to stop it from doing it has been established 'beyond any reasonable doubt' and with a force that cannot be strengthened."—Zygmunt Bauman, emeritus professor, University of Leeds"A tour de force. . . . Reading the book delighted and inspired me. It's not the first time Jim Scott has had that effect."—Charles Tilly, Columbia University"Stunning insights, an original position, and a conceptual approach of global application. Scott's book will at once take its place among the decade's truly seminal contributions to comparative politics."—M. Crawford Young, University of Wisconsin, Madison"James Scott is one of the most original and interesting social scientists whom I know. So it is no surprise that Seeing Like a State is a broad ranging, theoretically important, and empirically grounded treatment of the modern state. For anyone interested in learning about this fundamental tension of modernity and about the destruction wrought in the twentieth century as a consequence of the dominant development ideology of the simplifying state, high modernism, Seeing Like a State is a must read."—Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, Professor of Government and Social Studies at Harvard University and author of Hitler's Willing Executioners "A broad-ranging, theoretically important, and empirically grounded treatment of the modern state and its propensity to simplify and make legible a society which by nature is complex and opaque. For anyone interested in learning about this fundamental tension of modernity and about the destruction wrought in the twentieth century as a consequence of the dominant development ideology of the simplifying state, this is a must-read."—Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, author of Hitler’s Willing Executioners jQuery(function() { jQuery( "#tabs" ).tabs(); });
Twisty Freesia
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. I'm addicted to this app – it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears.
Nightmare King
🌟 Adding excitement to each day – this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. 📚🚀 The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Married Man
The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Nessie Pork
🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Senior Smurf
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Lady Fantastic
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊 Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Black Fantastic
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading.
DeathDancer
💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Skirble
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
NemesisX
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
PixelPioneer
CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources.
Abyss Tamer
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. 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!
Marshmallow
🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 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. 📚🎧 ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Corny
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Starshine
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition – I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Prof. Screw
As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Phoenix Tetra
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. ListenBook’s design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Steel
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! This app has revolutionized my daily routine – I can't imagine life without it. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits.
CodeExia
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers.
ThreadTraveler
📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
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