Book description
The true, behind-the-scenes history of the people who built Silicon Valley and shaped Big Tech in America Long before Margaret O'Mara became one of our most consequential historians of the American-led digital revolution, she worked in the White House of Bill Clinton and Al Gore in the earliest days of the commercial Internet. There she saw firsthand how deeply intertwined Silicon Valley was with the federal government--and always had been--and how shallow the common understanding of the secrets of the Valley's success actually was. Now, after almost five years of pioneering research, O'Mara has produced the definitive history of Silicon Valley for our time, the story of mavericks and visionaries, but also of powerful institutions creating the framework for innovation, from the Pentagon to Stanford University. It is also a story of a community that started off remarkably homogeneous and tight-knit and stayed that way, and whose belief in its own mythology has deepened into a collective hubris that has led to astonishing triumphs as well as devastating second-order effects. Deploying a wonderfully rich and diverse cast of protagonists, from the justly famous to the unjustly obscure, across four generations of explosive growth in the Valley, from the forties to the present, O'Mara has wrestled one of the most fateful developments in modern American history into magnificent narrative form. She is on the ground with all of the key tech companies, chronicling the evolution in their offerings through each successive era, and she has a profound fingertip feel for the politics of the sector and its relation to the larger cultural narrative about tech as it has evolved over the years. Perhaps most impressive, O'Mara has penetrated the inner kingdom of tech venture capital firms, the insular and still remarkably old-boy world that became the cockpit of American capitalism and the crucible for bringing technological innovation to market, or not. The transformation of big tech into the engine room of the American economy and the nexus of so many of our hopes and dreams--and, increasingly, our nightmares--can be understood, in Margaret O'Mara's masterful hands, as the story of one California valley. As her majestic history makes clear, its fate is the fate of us all.
Racy Lion
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
LyRz
This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
BlacKitten
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Clover Rabbit
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
PixelPathfinder
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
Freaky Ratbuster
πββοΈπ Running with purpose β audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. 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!
Steel Solstice
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Tangerine
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. No more carrying heavy books β this app has transformed my reading habits. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
Parallax Sugar
πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
Fast Draw
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Lucky Brandy
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Pockets
Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. ListenBookβs design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use.
Rosie Bird
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. 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 Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Doz Killer
I'm hooked on this app's ease of use β it's a reader's dream come true. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
Crossing Guard
The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature! The app is worth every penny. Itβs packed with features and works flawlessly. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Spooky Electric
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§ One of the best audiobooks Iβve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorβs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Babe
π Reading has never been this easy β this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. ππ« π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Twisty Freesia
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience.
Marshmallow
The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Digital Goddess
Audiobook excellence made simple β this app's functionality is a true asset. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
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