Free Download of Books from Google in EPUB Format

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/08/27 - Updated: 2010/06/25
Category Topic: Disability Publications - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Google Books can now be downloaded in the open EPUB format making these public domain books more accessible.

Introduction

Google has announced that over a million out of copyright books in
Google Books can now be downloaded in the open EPUB format making these public domain books more accessible.

Main Content

The EPUB format is supported by an increasing number of devices, including e-readers, netbooks and phones.

Recently, Sony made the announcement that the EPUB format will be supported by its upcoming Reader devices - the Pocked Edition, the Touch Edition and the Daily Edition. Google Book users can now choose between the PDF and EPUB formats for downloading books.

What is EPUB

EPUB is a free, open standard supported by a growing ecosystem of digital reading devices, allowing publishers to produce and distribute a 'digital publication' file and offer consumers interoperability between software and hardware for unencrypted reflowable digital books.

"By adding support for EPUB downloads, we're hoping to make these books more accessible by helping people around the world to find and read them in more places," Brandon Badger, product manager, Google Books, wrote on the Inside Google Books blog. "More people are turning to new reading devices to access digital books, and many such phones, netbooks, and e-ink readers have smaller screens that don't readily render image-based PDF versions of the books we've scanned. EPUB is a lightweight text-based digital book format that allows the text to automatically conform (or "reflow") to these smaller screens..."

How do I download a book from Google Books

Easy, just find any public domain book on books.google.com and click on the Download button in the toolbar.

More information on Google Online Services - Accessible Information Applications

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.

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Citing and References

Founded in 2004, Disabled World (DW) is a leading resource on disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility, supporting the disability community. Learn more on our About Us page.

Cite This Page: Disabled World. (2009, August 27 - Last revised: 2010, June 25). Free Download of Books from Google in EPUB Format. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved October 30, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/publications/google-books-epub.php

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