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.
Bleachers
Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Roadspike
Audiobook adventures simplified – this app's functionality is a revelation. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Mother Hen
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings.
Mud Pie Man
An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. 📚🎧 I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Cowboy Booter
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Mallow Man
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Criss Cross
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Lime
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes.
Firecracker
The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Jigsaw
📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
RealmRanger
👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 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. 🌌🎧 Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Boost Princess
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Toy Dogwatch
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! 📖📱
THRESHmSTR
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. 💡 The future of audiobook listening is here – this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. 🎧🔮 Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Pixie Taze
I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's pure bliss. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Stud muffin
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Upper D3ckR
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Twine X
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
Killah Goose
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats – this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. 🎉🔊 I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
Versace-Cat
This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
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