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.
Rink Ruler
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations β they're spot on. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Short Firecracker
I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. 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!
Lucky Martian
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go.
Grinch Cheese
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Winter Underdog
With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver.
Jack Cassidy
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ
Titanium Ladybug
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable.
ByteBard
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time.
Abyss Tamer
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Station WMD
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Twix Esses
This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
Lounge Master
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Star Killer
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
SubWoof330
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Mauve Cactus
ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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 perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Lewd Dice
π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
Bug Fire
Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Dandelion
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
Stud Buster
ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing.
SereneScribe
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories β this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. π±π§ is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
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