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.
Jigsaw
Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
X-Dew
This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Essex
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience.
Day Hawk
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Dove Dolce
ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Burst Nibbler
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! π±π§ Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
Scrapple
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable.
Mother Night
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. ππ
Dark Burn
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Alley Frog
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
Shimmy Shammy
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Raggedy Ann
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Doz Killer
β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
QuestWeaver
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive.
Greek Rifle
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Gingersnap Woman
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate.
Junkyard Dog
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ππ± Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved!
Heartbreaker
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks.
Moon Solitaire
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Pepper Prada
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. 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. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
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