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.
X-Dew
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Mother Night
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯
Delirium
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Old Orange Eyes
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Wrangler Jim
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineβgood narration, decent storyβbut it didnβt leave a lasting impression. If youβre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Turnip King
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Dance Cannon
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks β it's truly invigorating. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
Moon Laser
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Fast Draw
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. 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!
MythMaker
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears.
Hitch Frenzy
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours. 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!
Treasure Devil
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
CyberScribe
I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Dewdrop Doll
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly.
Subzero Taffy
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Twinkle Cocoa
πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Mum Mary
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver!
Sprinkle Lovenuts
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Shady Prairie
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again β but in a modern, convenient way. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
Lady In Red
π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
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