Book description
"A colorful page-turner." --Walter Isaacson, New York Times Book Review"As important a book on space as has ever been written." --Homer Hickam, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Rocket BoysThe dramatic inside story of the historic flights that launched SpaceX--and Elon Musk--from a shaky start-up into the world's leading-edge rocket company.SpaceX has enjoyed a miraculous decade. Less than 20 years after its founding, it boasts the largest constellation of commercial satellites in orbit, has pioneered reusable rockets, and in 2020 became the first private company to launch human beings into orbit. Half a century after the space race it is private companies, led by SpaceX, standing alongside NASA, pushing forward into the cosmos, and laying the foundation for our exploration of other worlds.But before it became one of the most powerful players in the aerospace industry, SpaceX was a fledgling start-up, scrambling to develop a single workable rocket before the money ran dry. The engineering challenge was immense; numerous other private companies had failed similar attempts. And even if SpaceX succeeded, they would then have to compete for government contracts with titans such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing, who had tens of thousands of employees and tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue. SpaceX had fewer than 200 employees and the relative pittance of $100 million in the bank.In Liftoff, Eric Berger, senior space editor at Ars Technica, takes readers inside the wild early days that made SpaceX. Focusing on the company's first four launches of the Falcon 1 rocket, he charts the bumpy journey from scrappy underdog to aerospace pioneer. We travel from company headquarters in El Segundo, to the isolated Texas ranchland where they performed engine tests, to Kwajalein, the tiny atoll in the Pacific where SpaceX launched the Falcon 1. Berger has reported on SpaceX for more than a decade, enjoying unparalleled journalistic access to the company's inner workings. Liftoff is the culmination of these efforts, drawing upon exclusive interviews with dozens of former and current engineers, designers, mechanics, and executives, including Elon Musk. The enigmatic Musk, who founded the company with the dream of one day settling Mars, is the fuel that propels the book, with his daring vision for the future of space.Filled with never-before-told stories of SpaceX's turbulent beginning, Liftoff is a saga of cosmic proportions.
NexusNomad
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use.
Fennel Dove
π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Marine Dre
With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Demo Tequila
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance β it's a must-have for any reader.
Pink Hopper
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner. ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination.
Sun Lemon
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ
Are Ess Tee
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³
Snow Cream
π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Frenzy
ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Feline Devil
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
GuTzd
Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Mammoth 2
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything!
Austin Shamrock
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Vagabond Warrior
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
Mule Skinner
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. 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 Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ππ§ The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace.
Oblivion
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Delirious Supernova
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
Nessie Pork
I've found my new favorite way to relax β cuddled up with an audiobook. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic.
Guillotine Trigger
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening.
Darkside Isis
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks.
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