Book description
A history and celebration of the many far-flung volunteers who helped define the English language, word by word. "Enthralling and exuberant, Sarah Ogilvie tells the surprising story of the making of the OED. Philologists, fantasists, crackpots, criminals, career spinsters, suffragists, and Australians: here is a wonder book for word lovers." --Jeanette Winterson, author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit The Oxford English Dictionary is one of mankind's greatest achievements, and yet, curiously, its creators are almost never considered. Who were the people behind this unprecedented book? As Sarah Ogilvie reveals, they include three murderers, a collector of pornography, the daughter of Karl Marx, a president of Yale, a radical suffragette, a vicar who was later found dead in the cupboard of his chapel, an inventor of the first American subway, a female anti-slavery activist in Philadelphia . . . and thousands of others. Of deep transgenerational and broad appeal, a thrilling literary detective story that, for the first time, unravels the mystery of the endlessly fascinating contributors the world over who, for over seventy years, helped to codify the way we read and write and speak. It was the greatest crowdsourcing endeavor in human history, the Wikipedia of its time. The Dictionary People is a celebration of words, language, and people, whose eccentricities and obsessions, triumphs, and failures enriched the English language.
Swedish Twizz
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
MindfulMingle
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
ELLerG!c
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ
Twinkle Cocoa
Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Lava Nibbler
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience.
ManMaker
π Making every moment count β this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! ππ« Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Gold Bentley
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Trash Pocky
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
WanderWord
Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§ Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze.
Digger
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Hyper
ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. 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.
Red Heroine
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Seattle Jay
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. πΆββοΈπ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure β I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ποΈπ
Bae
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching.
Drugstore Cowboy
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
RedFeet
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. 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! 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.
3D Waffle
ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. πΆββοΈπ± I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. ποΈπ The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Redneck Giorgio
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Charms
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files.
RiddleRanger
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done! The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
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