Book description
FINALIST FOR THE PEN/E.O. WILSON LITERARY SCIENCE WRITING AWARD***A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF 2021***A 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.
Twix Esses
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is β it's like being inside the story. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. π±π§ ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes!
Indestructible Potato
Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience.
Skylark
This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
WonderWords
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§ Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need.
Pepper Prada
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ
Admiral Tot
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. π©βπ³ Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories β this app adds flavor to my meals! π³π§ As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
MindfulMingle
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket.
Frosty Snazz
βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Guncap Slingbad
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Skool
Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Springheel Jack
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments β I'm forever grateful. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. 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!
Suicide Jockey
This app is a time-saver β I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Desert Haze
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ππ My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze.
Bruh
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's an essential part of my day. π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Gov Skull
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively.
Avenge Paws
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Loot
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable.
TeederSmartie
Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Thumb Candy
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life.
Delirium
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ππ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed β bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 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