Book description
"Bibliophiles will be enthralled." --PUBLISHERS WEEKLY"Immensely readable." --LIBRARY JOURNALFrom Gutenberg to Amazon, Michael Castleman's The Untold Story of Books is the first and only history of publishing told from a veteran author's point of view. Witty, entertaining, and full of remarkable new insights, it is a deeply researched, fascinating history of the idiosyncratic book business--aimed at authors, aspiring authors, booksellers, industry professionals, and everyone who loves to read books. Organized into three distinct book businesses, all defined by the evolution of printing, The Untold Story of Books explores how each new book business upended its predecessor, forcing authors, publishers, and booksellers to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. It's a story full of surprises: why did books become favored Christmas presents? Because of a poem written in 1823. Why is New York the nation's publishing capital? Because of the Erie Canal. Why are book endorsements called "blurbs"? Because of a satirist's joke in 1907. And why is copyright often an illusion? Because publishing was founded on book piracy, which today is easier and more rampant than ever. Arriving at the present day, Castleman paints a compelling portrait of an evolving book business full of new promise and peril.
About the Author
Michael Castleman grew up in Malverne, NY, a Long Island suburb of New York City. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Michigan, and earned an M.A. in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism. He has lived in San Francisco since 1975. While editor of Medical Self-Care Magazine, Castleman was also a freelance magazine health writer focusing on optimal wellness, illness prevention, mainstream and alternative treatments, nutrition, fitness, and sexuality. He has written more than 2,500 magazine and Web articles, as well as nineteen books selling over 2.5 million copies. The Untold Story of Books: A Writer's History of Book Publishing is his twentieth.
Sir Squire
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Gamer Bean
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Whipsaw
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Skittle Mine
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Lounge Master
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs.
Tangerine
ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
Intimidating Presence
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Short Firecracker
This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Unleashed
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. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Shade Nightman
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! 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. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Pixy Mox
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
Prometheus
ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Emerald Goddess
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier β this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. π±π§ Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook!
Trick Baron
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Babe
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique.
Bang Shift
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Miss Mustard
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Mother Hen
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Lskeee
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality β a journey into captivating worlds. πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Purity
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
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