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.
21st Street
π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨ Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Scratch Man
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Contrary Mary
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§ The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
MythMaker
The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! 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!
Koi Diva
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. π§π± Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress.
Pepper Legs
This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
Spellbinder
π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true triumph. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Highway
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
MysticMingle
Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Metal Aphrodite
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
42nd Street
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Marshmallow
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Pockets
π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯ π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§ The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
NoiseFire
This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§ Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized.
Tall Sally
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
MindfulMingle
This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Keystone
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless.
Hyper
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience.
Easy Sweep
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. 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.
Gunhawk
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time. 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!
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