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.
Potato Sub
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. Effortless and enriching โ that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Club Nola
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. ListenBookโs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
Fuzzy Rainbow
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks โ pure bliss! ๐๏ธ๐ I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Scuffs
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. 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 well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
New Magoo
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze.
BlacKitten
Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient โ it's like having a personal narrator. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Stick Shift
๐ก This app has made my daily schedule more interesting โ 'reading' on the go! ๐ฑ๐ถโโ๏ธ ๐ผ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background โ love it! ๐ป๐ง CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
Flint
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. 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.
Toolmaker
I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind.
Bom Crossed
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. 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 fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. I love the statistics feature. Itโs fun to see how much Iโve listened.
Whip Chu
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iโve 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!
Devil Chick
This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iโve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Intimidating Presence
ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. 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 perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Waylay Dave
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions.
Black Fantastic
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. ๐๐ Road trips have never been this entertaining โ this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ๐๐ CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Combo Saw
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising โ thanks to this app! The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book โ brilliant! Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended!
RiddleRanger
CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Juno Cream
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
LuminaLore
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. Bravo to the creators of this app โ they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ๐๐ The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. 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 featureโit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Yellow Menace
I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
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