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.
Rook
Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits.
Morbid Angel
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. 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.
Jetta Talent
This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
ShadowFax
ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Legacy
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session?
Voodoo Queen
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. 🌟 Adding excitement to everyday tasks – this app is my partner in productivity! 📚🚀
ByteBard
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! 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.
Manly Reno
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
NexusNomad
Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. 💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Truth
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Heavenly Connection
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. 🎉🎧 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!
Good William
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams!
Chocolate Thunder
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
California Goddess
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Rink Ruler
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
Short Firecracker
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! 🌟📚 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in!
RedMouth
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. 🌟 Adding excitement to everyday tasks – this app is my partner in productivity! 📚🚀 Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content.
Star Sword
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding.
Grave Scuttlebutt
Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
Maple Destroyer
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
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