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.
Feral Cookie
ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Kimono Goddess
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
Lounge Master
Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook!
Microwave
This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. Audiobooks made simple – this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. User-friendly audiobook experience – this app's design is a standout. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
AlertXis
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Dropkick
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is a game-changer. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Crash Enforcer
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Martini Flower
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
EchoExplorer
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. 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.
Sugar Man
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. 📚 Turning my phone into a portal of stories – this app's ease of use is remarkable! 📱💫 Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. 📖📱
Show Off
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine – thank you! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
1st Degree
⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 🏝️ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures – this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. ☀️📖 The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. 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!
Daffy Neo
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless.
MuseMaster
ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Prof. Smirk
🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Lewd Dice
I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
RDTN
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Mr. Spy
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features.
Heavenly Connection
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. 🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼
Snake Eyes
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧 ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls.
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