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.
Slacker Cat
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Silver Cup
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Grinch Cheese
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. 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.
RiddleRanger
π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless.
Mr. 44
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π
Vortex
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks.
Mum Mary
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. 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!
Eerie
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Phoenix Sparrow
With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality.
Good-lookinβ
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Crash Enforcer
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life β it's incredible. ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
NecroBull
This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§ Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Bambi Benz
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Desert Haze
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's design is user-centric. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Super Flick
ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Dr. WMD
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ
Despair
πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Eerie
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
WanderWord
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. 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!
Metal Star
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
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