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.
Thumb Candy
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Onion King
π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
3P-own
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. 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.
Hoboken Nightingale
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§
Jungle King
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. πΌ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives β this app is my multitasking hero! π»π π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Hang 11
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Stone Boomstick
Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
Snow Pharaoh
ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook!
Baby Brown
Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. 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!
PixelPathfinder
This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Liquid Death
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Screwtape
πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient.
Woo Woo
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Psycho Thinker
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Kevlar Wanted
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ
Ship Whip
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Chameleon
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app.
Liquid Science
No more straining my eyes to read β now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
Wildcat Talent
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Gold Bentley
Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
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