The Case for Books: Past, Present, and Future Unabridged (Audio Download): Amazon.co.uk: Robert Darnton, David Henry: Books

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Listening Length: 5 hours and 39 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Public Affairs
Audible Release Date: 27 Oct 2009
Language: English
ASIN: B002TSONKY

Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Product Description

The invention of writing was one of the most important technological, cultural, and sociological breakthroughs in human history. With the printed book, information and ideas could disseminate more widely and effectively than ever before - and in some cases, affect and redirect the sway of history.

Today, nearly one million books are published each year. But is the era of the book as we know it - a codex of bound pages - coming to an end? And if it is, should we celebrate its demise and the creation of a democratic digital future, or mourn an irreplaceable loss?

The digital age is revolutionizing the information landscape. Already, more books have been scanned and digitized than were housed in the great library in Alexandria, making available millions of texts for a curious reader at the click of a button, and electronic book sales are growing exponentially. Will this revolution in the delivery of information and entertainment make for more transparent and far-reaching dissemination - or create a monopolistic stranglehold?

In The Case for Books, Robert Darnton, an intellectual pioneer in the field of the history of the book and director of Harvard University's Library, offers an in-depth examination of the book from its earliest beginnings to its shifting role today in popular culture, commerce, and the academy. As an author, editorial advisor, and publishing entrepreneur, Darnton is a unique authority on the life and role of the book in society. This book is a wise work of scholarship - one that requires listeners to carefully consider how the digital revolution will broadly affect the marketplace of ideas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

A real pleasure to read! 16 May 2010

By Ms. N. Muess Gonzalez

Format:Hardcover

This book offered a great insight into the world of digitised books, as well as exploring the history and importance of "old" books and Libraries amongst other things (as the cover states past, present and future) The way in which Darnton has put his thoughts and work together made it a pleasure to read. I had originally planned to just skip through the pages very briefly in order to add some quotes/ info to an Essay I have to write on the subject, but I have to say that I was surprised to find that i couldn't stop myself from reading it properly. I didn't know anything about this subject area and I felt that this book is a great introduction to the field.
Although this is irrelevant to the content of the book, i have to comment on the cover which I just love.

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

Not to be missed if you are in publishing! 9 Nov 2010

By Ravi Butalia

Format:Paperback

I did not know about Robert Darnton (much to my regret) until I came across the book and it was purely because of the cover! it is beautiful and very, very apt, considering the ongoing debate about books and eBooks. Its a collection of 11 essays, all very engaging, informative and thought provoking. Not to be overlooked if one has anything whatsoever to do with publishing. Some of the ideas people are just beginning to broach about the possibilities of eBooks, Robert had them all figured out way back in the XX century.

While he is optimistic, encouraging and open to eBooks and eBook technology, he is an unashamed lover of the printed word!

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2 of 9 people found the following review helpful

Preachy stuff... 24 Nov 2010

By DMURower

Format:Paperback

There was the beginning, covering details of the Google Book Settlement, fine, that was OK, then it was pages and pages of boring writing repeatedly deploring how we are now threatened by the Google Book Monopoly, literally a whinge about how the Rebulic of Letters didn't work in the C18th, and how Google owning so much of the book world through digitalising it all is a direct threat to public freedom to access information. You could have argued that just as well in 4 pages.
Finally on pg 37 we get to how exactly Google might be a weaker form of book-archiving than is generally believed - I have to read the rest of it, but given the title I was expecting something much more cooly written and much less sentimental, like adult level writing is.
We'll see if it improves by the end.


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The Case for Books: Past, Present, and Future (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

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