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.
Unleashed
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
ZenaCake
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Dez Bonbon
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ
Lightweight
ππ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration β this app keeps me engaged on the road! ππ§ Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Tin Fox
Simplifying audiobook adventures β this app's ease of use is a delight. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening.
Juno Cream
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze.
Street Squirrel
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Blue Despair
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Digital Moonshine
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching.
Station WMD
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook! The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Tomcat
Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward β thank you, app! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Shimmy Shammy
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
MuseMaster
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨
Fuzzy Rainbow
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Black Walnut
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
The Dude
ππ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed β bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! π΄π§ π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ«
Easy Street
The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Pigeon Woman
ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
Kingfisher
I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Reed Lady
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done! The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
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