Book description
"THRILLING. ... Up-end[s] the Apollo narrative entirely." --The Times (London)A "brilliantly observed" (Newsweek) and "endlessly fascinating" (WSJ) rediscovery of the final Apollo moon landings, revealing why these extraordinary yet overshadowed missions--distinguished by the use of the revolutionary lunar roving vehicle--deserve to be celebrated as the pinnacle of human adventure and exploration.One of The Wall Street Journal's 10 Best Books of the Month8:36 P.M. EST, December 12, 1972: Apollo 17 astronauts Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt braked to a stop alongside Nansen Crater, keenly aware that they were far, far from home. They had flown nearly a quarter-million miles to the man in the moon's left eye, landed at its edge, and then driven five miles in to this desolate, boulder-strewn landscape. As they gathered samples, they strode at the outermost edge of mankind's travels. This place, this moment, marked the extreme of exploration for a species born to wander. A few feet away sat the machine that made the achievement possible: an electric go-cart that folded like a business letter, weighed less than eighty pounds in the moon's reduced gravity, and muscled its way up mountains, around craters, and over undulating plains on America's last three ventures to the lunar surface. In the decades since, the exploits of the astronauts on those final expeditions have dimmed in the shadow cast by the first moon landing. But Apollo 11 was but a prelude to what came later: while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin trod a sliver of flat lunar desert smaller than a football field, Apollos 15, 16, and 17 each commanded a mountainous area the size of Manhattan. All told, their crews traveled fifty-six miles, and brought deep science and a far more swashbuckling style of exploration to the moon. And they triumphed for one very American reason: they drove.In this fast-moving history of the rover and the adventures it ignited, Earl Swift puts the reader alongside the men who dreamed of driving on the moon and designed and built the vehicle, troubleshot its flaws, and drove it on the moon's surface. Finally shining a deserved spotlight on these overlooked characters and the missions they created, Across the Airless Wilds is a celebration of human genius, perseverance, and daring.
ButterQuest
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Indestructible Potato
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorโs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnโt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Freesia
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. This app is a book lover's dream come true โ a vast library right at your fingertips. ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. Audiobooks at my fingertips โ this app's functionality is truly impressive. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Low Voltage
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ๐๐ฑ ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
2nd Hand Joe
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Pusher
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Star Scratch
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Berry Succubus
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life โ it's incredible.
WanderWord
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnโt blown away. The narratorโs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Slinger
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
Sloth
ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app โ it's a companion. Iโm blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and Iโve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend! This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Unleashed
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodโwhat a creative addition! I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys.
StorySculptor
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience โ it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier โ this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. ๐ฑ๐ง CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
ByteBard
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle โ I can enjoy books while doing chores! ๐ Rekindling my love for stories โ this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ๐๐ Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Day Hawk
๐ Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores โ a dance of productivity! ๐ถ๐ As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition.
Neophyte Believer
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. Effortless audiobook exploration โ this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Flotsams54
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Running with purpose โ this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys โ this app's ease of use is a winner.
Bombay Shivers
Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition! The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Overrun
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
CuriousCraft
This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. 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!
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