Book description
"A delightful compendium of the kind of facts you immediately want to share with anyone you encounter . . . . Simon Winchester has firmly earned his place in history . . . as a promulgator of knowledge of every variety, perhaps the last of the famous explorers who crisscrossed the now-vanished British Empire and reported what they found to an astonished world." -- New York TimesFrom the creation of the first encyclopedia to Wikipedia, from ancient museums to modern kindergarten classes--this is award winning writer Simon Winchester's brilliant and all-encompassing look at how humans acquire, retain, and pass on information and data, and how technology continues to change our lives and our minds.With the advent of the internet, any topic we want to know about is instantly available with the touch of a smartphone button. With so much knowledge at our fingertips, what is there left for our brains to do? At a time when we seem to be stripping all value from the idea of knowing things--no need for math, no need for map-reading, no need for memorization--are we risking our ability to think? As we empty our minds, will we one day be incapable of thoughtfulness? Addressing these questions, Simon Winchester explores how humans have attained, stored, and disseminated knowledge. Examining such disciplines as education, journalism, encyclopedia creation, museum curation, photography, and broadcasting, he looks at a whole range of knowledge diffusion--from the cuneiform writings of Babylon to the machine-made genius of artificial intelligence, by way of Gutenberg, Google, and Wikipedia to the huge Victorian assemblage of the Mundanaeum, the collection of everything ever known, currently stored in a damp basement in northern Belgium. Studded with strange and fascinating details, Knowing What We Know is a deep dive into learning and the human mind. Throughout this fascinating tour, Winchester forces us to ponder what rational humans are becoming. What good is all this knowledge if it leads to lack of thought? What is information without wisdom? Does Rene Descartes's Cogito, ergo sum--"I think therefore I am," the foundation for human knowledge widely accepted since the Enlightenment--still hold? And what will the world be like if no one in it is wise?
Lunar Treat
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
The Belgian
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. π©βπ³ Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories β this app adds flavor to my meals! π³π§ The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Tomcat
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks.
Sweet Bacon
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks β it's truly invigorating. πΆββοΈπ± I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. ποΈπ Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization!
Infinite Hole
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ
Sand Whiskers
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature.
Pink Hopper
ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Bazooka Har-de-har
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
CuriousCoder
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Speedwell
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Download options are plenty β I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
East Army
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§
IdeaAlchemy
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings.
Silent
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Nickname Master
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³
LoreLoomer
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users.
Goatee Shield
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ππ Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness.
Baby Brown
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
RiddleRover
With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Lady Killer
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface β it's a true delight. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Skylark
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π«
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