The Case for Books: Past, Present, and Future Audiobook (Unabridged)

" The collection of essays isn't bad but I feel like the cover and title are a little misleading. It doesn't have all that much to do with "the future of the book". still it's worth reading. "

" Underwhelming. Darnton stitches together a hodgepodge of vaguely related essays in what appears to be an opportunistic bid for either attention or a quick buck. Skip it. "

" Robert Darnton doesn't want to have to choose between books and e-books. That's at the core of this compelling collection of essays and articles, some of which have been published elsewhere and some of which are new. He wants knowledge to be available and accessible -- and loves the idea of how new technologies can accomplish that. On the other hand, he has a number of concerns about the unintended or unexpected consequences of a future that rests solely on digital content, such as the fact that Google and others pursuing projects to digitize books aren't doing so as a public service. As Darnton points out, they do not see libraries as "temples of learning", but rather buildings that contain "potential assets or what they call 'content', ready to mined" at a cost that will be a fraction of the expense that went into building those collections. "

" After reading most of the essays, I can without significant hesitation state that I enjoy Darnton's prose and ideas, along with his openminded, good-humoured tone. There is some repetition in the subject material, but there's also progression. Darnton is a good resource for the Google Book Search controversy, as well as more generally ideas on e-books and research libraries. An enjoyable read. "

" I'm a bit disappointed with Darnton's reluctance to write this book right with new content, instead of content culled from previously published essays, yet I still recommend this book to anyone interested in book history or the position of books in the digital age. "

" Should be required reading for librarians. "

" Like many here, I was somewhat disappointed in the end. As a librarian, I was hoping for more ammunition to use in the inevitable conversations I find myself having with ignorant people who insist on proclaiming that The Book Is Dead. "

" Interesting but somewhat repetitive. Still I learned lots. Love the cover! "

" A grouping of essays, many of which deal with Google and its efforts to digitize books, written by the author for various publications. Although the content is interesting, there was way too much repetition across the essays. It got annoying. "

" This book was not quite what I was expecting, but ultimately I really enjoyed it. "

" Darnton makes interesting points, but I did not feel that he really ever makes a strong case for books. "

" This makes me rethink my love of Google! "

" This book of essays was advertised as considering why books are important in an electronic, digital world. Some of the essays covered that topic, but many of the others were off the subject. I was disappointed. "

" I did not give this book because it wasn't quality. I just skimmed it and read what I found interesting. "

" The Case For Books. Well this collection of essays by Robert Darnton with that title; certainly isn't one. Boring with a capital B. "

" Darnton makes interesting points, but I did not feel that he really ever makes a strong case for books. "

" As a reader I was drawn to a book about books. I mean this is a book lovers dream. I found this book to be informative....for a while and then it just became boring. I have to admit that this book let me down it is not often that I give a book a 3 star rating. "

" This is a must read for persons interested in the future of books. Covers, among other things, Google's digitization of books project, the preservation of books through microfilming project, etc. "

" Too deep for me to keep my interest. Read a few of the essays and then returned it. "

" entertaining and instructive...I love Darnton´s straight-forward style and his ability to explain things+to transmit his contagious enthusiasm for the printed word. Lovely! "