Book description
FINALIST FOR THE PEN/E.O. WILSON LITERARY SCIENCE WRITING AWARDA NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF 2021A SCIENCE NEWS FAVORITE BOOK OF 2021*A SMITHSONIAN TOP TEN SCIENCE BOOK OF 2021 "Stories that both dazzle and edify... This book is not just about life, but about discovery itself." --Siddhartha Mukherjee, New York Times Book ReviewWe all assume we know what life is, but the more scientists learn about the living world--from protocells to brains, from zygotes to pandemic viruses--the harder they find it is to locate life's edge. Carl Zimmer investigates one of the biggest questions of all: What is life? The answer seems obvious until you try to seriously answer it. Is the apple sitting on your kitchen counter alive, or is only the apple tree it came from deserving of the word? If we can't answer that question here on earth, how will we know when and if we discover alien life on other worlds? The question hangs over some of society's most charged conflicts--whether a fertilized egg is a living person, for example, and when we ought to declare a person legally dead. Life's Edge is an utterly fascinating investigation that no one but one of the most celebrated science writers of our generation could craft. Zimmer journeys through the strange experiments that have attempted to re-create life. Literally hundreds of definitions of what that should look like now exist, but none has yet emerged as an obvious winner. Lists of what living things have in common do not add up to a theory of life. It's never clear why some items on the list are essential and others not. Coronaviruses have altered the course of history, and yet many scientists maintain they are not alive. Chemists are creating droplets that can swarm, sense their environment, and multiply. Have they made life in the lab? Whether he is handling pythons in Alabama or searching for hibernating bats in the Adirondacks, Zimmer revels in astounding examples of life at its most bizarre. He tries his own hand at evolving life in a test tube with unnerving results. Charting the obsession with Dr. Frankenstein's monster and how the world briefly believed radium was the source of all life, Zimmer leads us all the way into the labs and minds of researchers engineering life from scratch.
ShadowFax
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§
Dakota Bliss
Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. π±π Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Sofa King
π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Badger the Burglar
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. The app's stability is impressive β it runs smoothly without any glitches. I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app.
ManManMan
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Cali Yacht
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Houston Rocket
π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
ELLerG!c
I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
RiddleRanger
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations β they're spot on. π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs.
K-9
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Spoiler Betty
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! π±π§ CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Daisy Stick
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
Racy Lion
Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Moon Orchid
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Rosie Bird
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. 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!
Marshmallow
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Bambi Benz
I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Sherm
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. 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!
Cosmo
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks.
DragonBlood
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ« I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen 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