Book description
The true story of what happened the first time machines came for human jobs, when an underground network of 19th century rebels, the Luddites, took up arms against the industrialists that were automating their work--and how it explains the power, threat, and toll of big tech today. The most pressing story in modern tech begins not in Silicon Valley, Seattle, or even Shenzhen. It begins two hundred years ago in rural England, when working men and women rose up en masse rather than starve at the hands of the factory owners who were using machines to erase and degrade their livelihoods. They organized guerilla raids, smashed those machines, and embarked on full-scale assaults against the wealthy machine owners. They won the support of Lord Byron, inspired Mary Shelley, and enraged the Prince Regent and his bloodthirsty government. Before it was over, much blood would be spilled--of rich and poor, of the invisible and of the powerful. This all-but-forgotten and deeply misunderstood class struggle nearly brought 19th century England to its knees. We live now in the second machine age, when similar fears that big tech is dominating our lives and machines replacing human labor run high. We worry that technology imperils millions of jobs, robots are ousting workers from factories, and artificial intelligence will soon remove drivers from cars. How will this all reshape our economy and the way we live? And what can we do about it? The answers lie in the story of our first machine age, when mechanization first came to British factories at the beginning of the industrial revolution. Intertwined with a lucid examination of our current age, the story of the Luddites, the working-class insurgency that took up arms against automation (at a time when it was punishable by death to break a machine), Blood in the Machine reaches through time and space to tell a story about how technology changed our world--and how it's already changing our future.
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ Audiobook immersion without complications β this app's ease of use is commendable. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles.
Lope Lope
πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! πββοΈπ ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening.
ThermalMode
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π
RedFeet
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility.
Pink C
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
HolyCombo
π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
Dark Burn
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Tornado Maker
ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Trouble Mittens
This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery β a win-win! This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
Acid Queen
I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Mr. Lucky
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Phoenix Tetra
I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Spunky Chick
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Spit Turanga
ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Mirage
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Candy Butcher
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Mr. Wholesome
Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨
Feral Filly
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Toy Town
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Scrapple
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
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