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.
Mad Rascal
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
Twitch
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. 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!
Miss Murder
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Die Slice
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Nickname Master
This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Amphibi-Dangerous
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³ 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¨ I love the auto-rewind feature. Itβs great for when I zone out.
Cooger
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ
Winter Bite
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
StormCake
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³
All Natural
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine.
Divine Quasar
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story.
Frenzy
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats β it's a true lifesaver. πΌ Workday blues? Not anymore β this app turns my office hours into reading time! π»π Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Squatch
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Hairpin
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. π Making every moment count β this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! ππ«
Breadmaker
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Arsenic Coo
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
Forger
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. 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!
Marine Dre
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.
Morbid Angel
π± My pocket-sized library β this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! ππ± I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Round Kick Boomer
Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
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