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.
Sherm
Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Jack Cassidy
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
NecroBull
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days.
The Final Judgement
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧
Journeyman
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McDreamy
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is remarkable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
Sky Herald
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Shadow Bishop
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Muzish
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LoreLoomer
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Necessary Momentum
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Sloth
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless.
Koi Diva
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Noh Noh
ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing.
West Warrior
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Murder Matter
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Morbid Sugar
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket – truly amazing! Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Cinder Coffee
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Bad Bunny
This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
ThoughtTrailblazer
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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