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.
IdeaAlchemy
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a perfect match.
CloudFrenzy
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
StarStrider
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! 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 As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§
Racy Lady
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality β a journey into captivating worlds. This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. 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!
Wings
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Grave Scuttlebutt
πΌ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives β this app is my multitasking hero! π»π π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
Canine Hannibal
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Bad Bunny
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion.
Are Ess Tee
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π
Lady Katniss
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ
Snow Hound
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
Old Orange Eyes
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic!
Pink Stream
Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
Zero Charisma
I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
LifeRobber
πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iβm in the story.
Seattle Jay
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
Count Eagle
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Crash Test
This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! 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!
Vermilion
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight.
Fadey
ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
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