Book description
Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium. These fundamental materials have created empires, razed civilizations, and fed our ingenuity and greed for thousands of years. Without them, our modern world would not exist, and the battle to control them will determine our future. - Finalist for the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award The fiber-optic cables that weave the World Wide Web, the copper veins of our electric grids, the silicon chips and lithium batteries that power our phones and cars: though it can feel like we now live in a weightless world of information--what Ed Conway calls "the ethereal world"--our twenty-first-century lives are still very much rooted in the material. In fact, we dug more stuff out of the earth in 2017 than in all of human history before 1950. For every ton of fossil fuels, we extract six tons of other materials, from sand to stone to wood to metal. And in Material World, Conway embarks on an epic journey across continents, cultures, and epochs to reveal the underpinnings of modern life on Earth--traveling from the sweltering depths of the deepest mine in Europe to spotless silicon chip factories in Taiwan to the eerie green pools where lithium originates. Material World is a celebration of the humans and the human networks, the miraculous processes and the little-known companies, that combine to turn raw materials into things of wonder. This is the story of human civilization from an entirely new perspective: the ground up.
InsightfulInk
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
Street Jolly
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly.
MythMaker
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection.
Spellbinder
π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length β I'm in!
Flakes
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
NemesisX
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking.
Queen Bee
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Wildcat Talent
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze.
Roadspike
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories.
Burn
I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
Vermilion
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
Squatch
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go.
Dahlia Bumble
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
Runway Darling
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Wildcat Appaloosa
πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
Starshine
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Poptart AK47
Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
ManManMan
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. πΌ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives β this app is my multitasking hero! π»π Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π
RiddleRover
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
Crash Override
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer!
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