Book description
THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE • AN ECONOMIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • 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 AwardThe 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.
About the Author
ED CONWAY is economics and data editor of Sky News and a columnist for the Times (London). He has won numerous awards for his journalism, including most recently the 2018 Wincott Foundation Journalist of the Year Award. He lives in London.
Mr. Thanksgiving
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Duke Electro
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
NexusNavigator
No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done! Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books.
Cupid Dust
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. 💼 Workday blues? Not anymore – this app turns my office hours into reading time! 💻📖 The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Troubled Chick
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it! Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Pigeon Woman
With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. 🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫
Sloth
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
101
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. 🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is a game-changer. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Fadey
Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Fast FLAK
This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
DuckDuck
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Vortex
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Video Game Heroine
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Shade Nightman
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback.
MeeP
💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze.
Sugar Domino
Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
MuseMaster
Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
BloodEater
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. 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!
Helmet Destroyer
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
DreamDiver
💡 This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! 📱👩🍳 ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
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