Book description
In the bestselling tradition of Stuff Matters and The Disappearing Spoon a clever and engaging look at materials, the innovations they made possible, and how these technologies changed us. Finalist for the 41st Los Angeles Times Book Award in Science and Technology and selected as one of the Best Summer Science Books Of 2020 by Science Friday. In The Alchemy of Us, scientist and science writer Ainissa Ramirez examines eight inventions--clocks, steel rails, copper communication cables, photographic film, light bulbs, hard disks, scientific labware, and silicon chips--and reveals how they shaped the human experience. Ramirez tells the stories of the woman who sold time, the inventor who inspired Edison, and the hotheaded undertaker whose invention pointed the way to the computer. She describes, among other things, how our pursuit of precision in timepieces changed how we sleep; how the railroad helped commercialize Christmas; how the necessary brevity of the telegram influenced Hemingway's writing style; and how a young chemist exposed the use of Polaroid's cameras to create passbooks to track Black citizens in apartheid South Africa. These fascinating and inspiring stories offer new perspectives on our relationships with technologies.
Moon Orchid
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection β there's always something new to discover. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate.
Drift
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
RZRWRE
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Spellbinder
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Easy Street
I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Kill Switch
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§ Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Rosie Bird
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail.
xFRST
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Natural Mess
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π π± Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward β this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. ππ«
Barbera Shift
πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§ Iβm blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and Iβve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Bug Blitz
I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest!
Crazy Rox
This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening.
Rosie Bird
Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Diamond Gamer
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Dance Bloom
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. βοΈ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time β multitasking made easy! π§ π§ Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks.
WanderWord
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Duchess
This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy!
Moonflower
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ
Whip 2T
The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Liquid Science
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration.
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