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.
Darling Peacock
Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Duke Electro
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Boo
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match.
DreamWeaver
ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly.
Shivers
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. 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!
Lewd Dice
I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. 📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟 The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Lightweight
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts.
Bit Sentinel
🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Lilac Lizard
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience.
Short Firecracker
With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before.
WonderWords
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook!
Icy Avenger
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Lincoln Rider
🏡 Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house – it's like having a helper! 🏠📚 Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Tabasco Dracula
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Troubadour
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Star Scratch
🚶♀️📱 I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. 🏞️📚 Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! 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!
CosPlatoon
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed.
Raid Bucker
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! Download options are plenty – I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
X-Dew
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. 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!
Mad Viral
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient.
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