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.
Po1son
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
AxelRoad
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Sugar Man
I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls β it's a joy to navigate. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ 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!
Romance Guppy
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Stallion Patton
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
Knight Light
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Energy
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Mammoth 2
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place! 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!
Devil Bread
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ππ§ Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
High Beam
Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Speedwell
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
General Finish
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Fresh Peper
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app.
Crumb Cake
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Flash Protein
ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate.
Lady Pomegranate
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
xFRST
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Skirble
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. ποΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. πΆπ
Flash
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Juice Petite
This app makes traffic jams a breeze β time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
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