Book description
"When this book was first published it received some attention from the critics but none at all from the public. Nazism was finished in the bunker in Berlin and its death warrant signed on the bench at Nuremberg." That's Milton Mayer, writing in a foreword to the 1966 edition of They Thought They Were Free. He's right about the critics: the book was a finalist for the National Book Award in 1956. General readers may have been slower to take notice, but over time they did--what we've seen over decades is that any time people, across the political spectrum, start to feel that freedom is threatened, the book experiences a ripple of word-of-mouth interest. And that interest has never been more prominent or potent than what we've seen in the past year. They Thought They Were Free is an eloquent and provocative examination of the development of fascism in Germany. Mayer's book is a study of ten Germans and their lives from 1933-45, based on interviews he conducted after the war when he lived in Germany. Mayer had a position as a research professor at the University of Frankfurt and lived in a nearby small Hessian town which he disguised with the name "Kronenberg." "These ten men were not men of distinction," Mayer noted, but they had been members of the Nazi Party; Mayer wanted to discover what had made them Nazis. His discussions with them of Nazism, the rise of the Reich, and mass complicity with evil became the backbone of this book, an indictment of the ordinary German that is all the more powerful for its refusal to let the rest of us pretend that our moment, our society, our country are fundamentally immune. A new foreword to this edition by eminent historian of the Reich Richard J. Evans puts the book in historical and contemporary context. We live in an age of fervid politics and hyperbolic rhetoric. They Thought They Were Free cuts through that, revealing instead the slow, quiet accretions of change, complicity, and abdication of moral authority that quietly mark the rise of evil.
About the Author
Milton Mayer (1908-86) was the author of What Can a Man Do? And coauthor of The Revolution in Education. He wrote for the Progressive, Harper's, and other outlets.
Mirage
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning.
Easy Mac
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly.
QuantumQuill
Audiobooks made convenient โ this app's functionality is impressive. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
Charms
This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ๐๐ง I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Alpha
Audiobooks on the go โ this app's design prioritizes convenience. Audiobook immersion without complications โ this app's ease of use is commendable. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Twisty Freesia
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. I love the ability to change the background color. Itโs a nice touch.
Nutmeg Riot
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 โ it shows their dedication to excellence. I can't imagine my life without this app โ it's my passport to countless stories. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. The app is so reliable. Iโve never had any issues with it.
Spunky Comet
Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection โ this app's functionality is a winner. The app is so well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
FRMhndshk
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Audiobooks have never been this engaging โ this app takes them to the next level. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ๐๐ง The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Thumb Candy
I can't get enough of this app's versatile features โ from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity.
Jelly Momentum
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now โ all thanks to this app. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Wooden Man
Audiobook journey simplified โ this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itโs a pleasure to use.
Lady Pomegranate
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
CZR
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. ๐ง This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ๐๐ณ Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator.
Cuff Queen
The app's design is sleek and modern โ it's a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. Enhancing my daily routines โ this app's design makes listening a joy.
Fire Bite
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration โ it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge โ talk about efficiency! ListenBookโs playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
Honey
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. ๐ถ๐ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling โ audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. ๐ง๐ ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats.
Intimidation Station
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Mr. Wholesome
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. ๐ถ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! ๐ต๐ ๐๏ธ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency โ I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. ๐ถ๐ ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly.
Day Hawk
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way โ while cooking, working out, or even gardening. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook! I love how I can create playlists. Itโs perfect for organizing my books.
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