Book description
From a New York Times bestselling author comes the gripping, untold history of science's darkest secrets, "a fascinating book [that] deserves a wide audience" (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Science is a force for good in the world--at least usually. But sometimes, when obsession gets the better of scientists, they twist a noble pursuit into something sinister. Under this spell, knowledge isn't everything, it's the only thing--no matter the cost. Bestselling author Sam Kean tells the true story of what happens when unfettered ambition pushes otherwise rational men and women to cross the line in the name of science, trampling ethical boundaries and often committing crimes in the process. The Icepick Surgeon masterfully guides the reader across two thousand years of history, beginning with Cleopatra's dark deeds in ancient Egypt. The book reveals the origins of much of modern science in the transatlantic slave trade of the 1700s, as well as Thomas Edison's mercenary support of the electric chair and the warped logic of the spies who infiltrated the Manhattan Project. But the sins of science aren't all safely buried in the past. Many of them, Kean reminds us, still affect us today. We can draw direct lines from the medical abuses of Tuskegee and Nazi Germany to current vaccine hesitancy, and connect icepick lobotomies from the 1950s to the contemporary failings of mental-health care. Kean even takes us into the future, when advanced computers and genetic engineering could unleash whole new ways to do one another wrong. Unflinching, and exhilarating to the last page, The Icepick Surgeon fuses the drama of scientific discovery with the illicit thrill of a true-crime tale. With his trademark wit and precision, Kean shows that, while science has done more good than harm in the world, rogue scientists do exist, and when we sacrifice morals for progress, we often end up with neither.
Roller Turtle
πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ 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 ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
True Sweetness
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus!
Texas Butterfly
Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
The Shield Toronto
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Tokyo Dream
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
Bad Bunny
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π« Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks.
SunVolt
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Lucky Aurora
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π πββοΈπ Running with purpose β audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Flash
Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
King Panther
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is a true winner. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Sylvester Eye
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. 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. π±π CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
Suicide Jockey
π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ
CloudFrenzy
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising β thanks to this app! With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Admiral Tot
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights β I'm never without a good story. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Clover Dragon
This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection.
Doll Champagne
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true β from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨
Necessary Momentum
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Breezy Mustang
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing.
SpellTansy
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
Doz Killer
ListenBook's commitment to user experience shines through its thoughtful design and seamless functionality. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback.
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