Book description
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "A new masterpiece from one of my favorite authors... [How The World Really Works] is a compelling and highly readable book that leaves readers with the fundamental grounding needed to help solve the world's toughest challenges."--Bill Gates "Provocative but perceptive . . . You can agree or disagree with Smil--accept or doubt his 'just the facts' posture--but you probably shouldn't ignore him."--The Washington Post An essential analysis of the modern science and technology that makes our twenty-first century lives possible--a scientist's investigation into what science really does, and does not, accomplish. We have never had so much information at our fingertips and yet most of us don't know how the world really works. This book explains seven of the most fundamental realities governing our survival and prosperity. From energy and food production, through our material world and its globalization, to risks, our environment and its future, How the World Really Works offers a much-needed reality check--because before we can tackle problems effectively, we must understand the facts. In this ambitious and thought-provoking book we see, for example, that globalization isn't inevitable--the foolishness of allowing 70 per cent of the world's rubber gloves to be made in just one factory became glaringly obvious in 2020--and that our societies have been steadily increasing their dependence on fossil fuels, such that any promises of decarbonization by 2050 are a fairy tale. For example, each greenhouse-grown supermarket-bought tomato has the equivalent of five tablespoons of diesel embedded in its production, and we have no way of producing steel, cement or plastics at required scales without huge carbon emissions. Ultimately, Smil answers the most profound question of our age: are we irrevocably doomed or is a brighter utopia ahead? Compelling, data-rich and revisionist, this wonderfully broad, interdisciplinary guide finds faults with both extremes. Looking at the world through this quantitative lens reveals hidden truths that change the way we see our past, present and uncertain future.
StorySculptor
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. ๐ Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner โ this app adds flavor to every meal! ๐ฒ๐
Springheel Jack
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased. Iโm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
QuestQuill
๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ Iโve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iโve 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!
Fast FLAK
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Oblivion
CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureโit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Toy Peep
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience.
Night Train
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Easy Sweep
Audiobooks made convenient โ this app's functionality is a true gift. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues!
Frosty Squid
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Kill Switch
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Free Ham
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content โ it's my new favorite app. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
ByteBard
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. One of the best audiobooks Iโve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorโs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Whistler
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ๐ Rekindling my love for stories โ this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ๐๐ ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Mad Viral
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
SpellTansy
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. ๐๐ Road trips have never been this entertaining โ this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ๐๐ The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! 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! Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Roadblock
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition! I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itโs perfect for my listening style.
Spicy Thunder
I'm addicted to this app โ it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! An audiobook Iโll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorโs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Midnight Rider
I can't get enough of this app โ it's like having a personal library with me. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless.
Light Despair
๐ถ๐ Replacing tunes with stories โ my house is alive with the sound of narration! ๐ง๐ The app is so well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Zero Corn
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback.
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