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.
RoarSweetie
Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
K-Tin Man
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Sylvester Eye
This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. βοΈ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ππ
Goldman
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am.
Alpha
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π
BoomerBox
ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Cereal Killer
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight.
Commando
With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Troublemasher
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
Devil Chick
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable.
Lady Katniss
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Bad Beh8vior
I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
Mindless Bobcat
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Frosty Sunshine
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Killah Goose
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine.
Snapdragon
The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Jungle King
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience.
Purity Catnip
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Lucky Aurora
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. ποΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. πΆπ Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
ThoughtTraveler
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. 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