Book description
A Best Book of 2020 (NPR)A Best Book of 2020 (The Economist)A Top Ten Best Science Book of 2020 (Smithsonian) A Best Science and Technology Book of 2020 (Library Journal)A Must-Read Book to Escape the Chaos of 2020 (Newsweek)Starred review (Booklist) Starred review (Publishers Weekly) A historically unprecedented disconnect between humanity and the heavens has opened. Jo Marchant's book can begin to heal it. For at least 20,000 years, we have led not just an earthly existence but a cosmic one. Celestial cycles drove every aspect of our daily lives. Our innate relationship with the stars shaped who we are--our art, religious beliefs, social status, scientific advances, and even our biology. But over the last few centuries we have separated ourselves from the universe that surrounds us. It's a disconnect with a dire cost. Our relationship to the stars and planets has moved from one of awe, wonder and superstition to one where technology is king--the cosmos is now explored through data on our screens, not by the naked eye observing the natural world. Indeed, in most countries, modern light pollution obscures much of the night sky from view. Jo Marchant's spellbinding parade of the ways different cultures celebrated the majesty and mysteries of the night sky is a journey to the most awe-inspiring view you can ever see: looking up on a clear dark night. That experience and the thoughts it has engendered have radically shaped human civilization across millennia. The cosmos is the source of our greatest creativity in art, in science, in life. To show us how, Jo Marchant takes us to the Hall of the Bulls in the caves at Lascaux in France, and to the summer solstice at a 5,000-year-old tomb at Newgrange, Ireland. We discover Chumash cosmology and visit medieval monks grappling with the nature of time and Tahitian sailors navigating by the stars. We discover how light reveals the chemical composition of the sun, and we are with Einstein as he works out that space and time are one and the same. A four-billion-year-old meteor inspires a search for extraterrestrial life. The cosmically liberating, summary revelation is that star-gazing made us human.
QuestWeaver
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Midnight Rambler
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
Abiss
Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Gas Man
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of.
Bridge Whip
🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Granola Dove
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
London Fox
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Kill Switch
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. 🎉📚 The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Vagabond Warrior
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. 📚🔥 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
WanderWord
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
GoldTouch
I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. 🎧 Audiobooks anywhere, anytime – this app's convenience is unbeatable! 🌟📚
Lskeee
The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Onion King
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Truth
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story.
Digital Goddess
ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. 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! The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Cabbie
🎧 An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand – this app is pure convenience! 📚🌟 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience.
SpellTansy
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. 🎧📱 Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Red Heroine
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Nessie
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. 🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖 ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Ella of Light
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
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