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.
Mental
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Nibbler
Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Lucky Aurora
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Thunder Tank
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Muzish
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Easy Sweep
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
NoiseCake
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
EchoEnigma
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Snow Cream
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. 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.
InsightfulInk
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. 🏃♂️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! 🏃♂️📖 No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Lady Killer
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Miss Fix It
This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Screwtape
I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks.
Trigger Warming
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Hang 11
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Houston
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. 🚶♀️🎧 Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks – pure bliss! 🏞️📚 I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Mad Rascal
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. 🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone!
Lucifurious
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. 🎶📚 My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. 🎧🎶 Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Mad Robin
This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. Audiobook adventures simplified – this app's functionality is a revelation. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
InsightfulInk
The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
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