Book description
A Best Book of 2021 by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Time, and The Washington Post The bestselling author of Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs returns with a “compelling” (The Washington Post) account of how Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues launched a revolution that will allow us to cure diseases, fend off viruses, and have healthier babies.When Jennifer Doudna was in sixth grade, she came home one day to find that her dad had left a paperback titled The Double Helix on her bed. She put it aside, thinking it was one of those detective tales she loved. When she read it on a rainy Saturday, she discovered she was right, in a way. As she sped through the pages, she became enthralled by the intense drama behind the competition to discover the code of life. Even though her high school counselor told her girls didn’t become scientists, she decided she would. Driven by a passion to understand how nature works and to turn discoveries into inventions, she would help to make what the book’s author, James Watson, told her was the most important biological advance since his codiscovery of the structure of DNA. She and her collaborators turned a curiosity of nature into an invention that will transform the human race: an easy-to-use tool that can edit DNA. Known as CRISPR, it opened a brave new world of medical miracles and moral questions. The development of CRISPR and the race to create vaccines for coronavirus will hasten our transition to the next great innovation revolution. The past half-century has been a digital age, based on the microchip, computer, and internet. Now we are entering a life-science revolution. Children who study digital coding will be joined by those who study genetic code. Should we use our new evolution-hacking powers to make us less susceptible to viruses? What a wonderful boon that would be! And what about preventing depression? Hmmm…Should we allow parents, if they can afford it, to enhance the height or muscles or IQ of their kids? After helping to discover CRISPR, Doudna became a leader in wrestling with these moral issues and, with her collaborator Emmanuelle Charpentier, won the Nobel Prize in 2020. Her story is an “enthralling detective story” (Oprah Daily) that involves the most profound wonders of nature, from the origins of life to the future of our species.
About the Author
Walter Isaacson is the bestselling author of biographies of Jennifer Doudna, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, Benjamin Franklin, and Albert Einstein. He is a professor of history at Tulane and was CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair of CNN, and editor of Time. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2023. Visit him at Isaacson.Tulane.edu.
Devil Bread
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces – this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. 📱🔊 Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Old Man Winter
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Savoring audiobooks without fuss – this app's design is impressive.
Trash Pocky
ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Lucky Brandy
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. ListenBook's commitment to user experience shines through its thoughtful design and seamless functionality. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
WeldMaster
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Honey
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. 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.
Bones
I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
ThickSKN
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Digital Goddess
🎉📚 Reigniting my passion for books – this app is my newfound reading obsession! 🔥🎧 I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Blue Despair
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Apex
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Wooden German
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
SunVolt
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧
DragonBlood
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. 🌟 Say goodbye to boredom during long drives – this app makes road trips fly by! 🚗🎉 ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Golden Cougar
Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. 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!
Fl00d
ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
General Finish
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! 🚶♀️📱 I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. 🏞️📚 Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊
White Dragon
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically.
Mrs. Voltage
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. 🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗 Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
Skool
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner.
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