Book description
"It is a delight to wander through the bookstores of American history in this warm, generous book." --Emma Straub, New York Times bestselling author and owner of Books Are Magic An affectionate and engaging history of the American bookstore and its central place in American cultural life, from department stores to indies, from highbrow dealers trading in first editions to sidewalk vendors, and from chains to special-interest community destinations Bookstores have always been unlike any other kind of store, shaping readers and writers, and influencing our tastes, thoughts, and politics. They nurture local communities while creating new ones of their own. Bookshops are powerful spaces, but they are also endangered ones. In The Bookshop, we see the stakes: what has been, and what might be lost. Evan Friss's history of the bookshop draws on oral histories, archival collections, municipal records, diaries, letters, and interviews with leading booksellers to offer a fascinating look at this institution beloved by so many. The story begins with Benjamin Franklin's first bookstore in Philadelphia and takes us to a range of booksellers including the Strand, Chicago's Marshall Field & Company, the Gotham Book Mart, specialty stores like Oscar Wilde and Drum and Spear, sidewalk sellers of used books, Barnes & Noble, Amazon Books, and Parnassus. The Bookshop is also a history of the leading figures in American bookselling, often impassioned eccentrics, and a history of how books have been marketed and sold over the course of more than two centuries--including, for example, a 3,000-pound elephant who signed books at Marshall Field's in 1944. The Bookshop is a love letter to bookstores, a charming chronicle for anyone who cherishes these sanctuaries of literature, and essential reading to understand how these vital institutions have shaped American life--and why we still need them.
About the Author
Evan Friss is a professor of history at James Madison University and the author of two other books: The Cycling City: Bicycles and Urban America in the 1890s and On Bicycles: A 200-Year History of Cycling in New York City. He lives with his wife (a bookseller) and two children (occasional booksellers) in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
MuseMaster
Simplifying audiobook management β this app's functionality is a true asset. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
Helmet Destroyer
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. 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.
Flyswat Briggs
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Fire Sass
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Roller Turtle
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback.
Betty Cricket
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Aqua Diva
Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
Truth
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app.
Knock Out Star
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go.
Drugstore Cowboy
Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§ I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. 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!
Poptart AK47
π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly.
DriftDetector
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time. Iβm 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! Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Lady Killer
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Sly Bible
With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
FLAK Angel
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile!
Marine Dre
ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator.
Shade Nightman
I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use.
Psycho Thinker
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. 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.
Pitfall Whiskers
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Gunhawk
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible!
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