Book description
A vivid account of a major shift in how we understand Earth, from an exceptionally talented new voice. Earth is not simply an inanimate planet on which life evolved, but rather a planet that came to life. One of humanity's oldest beliefs is that our world is alive. Though once ridiculed by some scientists, the idea of Earth as a vast interconnected living system has gained acceptance in recent decades. We, and all living things, are more than inhabitants of Earth--we are Earth, an outgrowth of its structure and an engine of its evolution. Life and its environment have coevolved for billions of years, transforming a lump of orbiting rock into a cosmic oasis--a planet that breathes, metabolizes, and regulates its climate. Acclaimed science writer Ferris Jabr reveals a radical new vision of Earth where lush forests spew water, pollen, and bacteria to summon rain; giant animals engineer the very landscapes they roam; microbes chew rock to shape continents; and microscopic plankton, some as glittering as carved jewels, remake the air and sea. Humans are one of the most extreme examples of life transforming Earth. Through fossil fuel consumption, agriculture, and pollution, we have altered more layers of the planet in less time than any other species, pushing Earth into a crisis. But we are also uniquely able to understand and protect the planet's wondrous ecology and self-stabilizing processes. Jabr introduces us to a diverse cast of fascinating people who have devoted themselves to this vital work. Becoming Earth is an exhilarating journey through the hidden workings of our planetary symphony--its players, its instruments, and the music of life that emerges--and an invitation to reexamine our place in it. How well we play our part will determine what kind of Earth our descendants inherit for millennia to come.
About the Author
Ferris Jabr is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine. He has also written for The New Yorker, Harper's, The Atlantic, National Geographic, and Scientific American. He is the recipient of a Whiting Foundation Creative Nonfiction Grant and fellowships from UC Berkeley and MIT. His work has been anthologized in several editions of Best American Science and Nature Writing. Ferris Jabr lives in Portland, Oregon, with his husband, Ryan, their dog, Jack, and more plants than they can count.
Tweety
🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫 I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Despair
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. 🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱 The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Vixen
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Innocent Ghost
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Old Orange Eyes
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
ButterQuest
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app.
Troubadour
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. 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!
Cooger
This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. 💃 Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores – a dance of productivity! 🎶📖 Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Clover Rabbit
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
Demolition Queen
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Buckshot
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything.
Pluto
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖
Grave Digger
AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Granola Dove
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧
Rooster
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Lady In Red
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Kimono Goddess
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧 ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Dez
Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Blade
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Thrasher
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
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