Book description
Alexis Madrigal reveals how understanding Oakland explains the modern world. In The Pacific Circuit, the award-winning journalist Alexis Madrigal sculpts an intricate tableau of the city of Oakland that is at once a groundbreaking big-idea book, a deeply researched work of social and political history, and an intimate portrait of an essential American city that has been at the crossroads of the defining themes of the twenty-first century. Oakland's stories encompass everything from Silicon Valley's prominence and the ramifications of a compulsively digital future to the underestimated costs of technological innovation on local communities-all personified in this changing landscape for the city's lifelong inhabitants. The Pacific Circuit holds a magnifying glass to the scars etched by generations of systemic segregation and the ceaseless march of technological advancement. These are not just abstract concepts; they are embedded in the very fabric of Oakland and its people, from dockworkers and community organizers to real estate developers and businesspeople chasing the highest possible profits. Madrigal delves into city hall politics, traces the intertwining arcs of venture capital and hedge funds, and offers unprecedented insight into Silicon Valley's genesis and growth, all against the backdrop of Oakland-a city vibrating with untold stories and unexplored connections that can, when read carefully, reveal exactly how our markets and our world really function.
About the Author
Alexis Madrigal is a journalist who lives in Oakland, California. He is a staff writer at The Atlantic and a cofounder of the COVID Tracking Project. Previously, he was the editor in chief of Fusion and a staff writer at Wired. He has been a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley's Information School and its Center for the Study of Technology, Science, and Medicine as well as an affiliate with Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. He is the author of Powering the Dream: The History and Promise of Green Technology.
Cosmic Presence
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Mad Irishman
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. 📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Rope
Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Prof. Screw
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
BlacKitten
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. I'm grateful for this app – it's made reading a part of my everyday life. 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! Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Steel Cut Toe
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Fire Bite
I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Rosie Bird
ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
Undergrad
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket.
Lady Peach
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing.
WordWanderer
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book – brilliant! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. 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! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Mustard Centaur
ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Atlantic Rim
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Palomino
This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Low Menace
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Dorothy Solitaire
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Achilles Mountain
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Nibbler
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant companion for literary adventures. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Mum Mary
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Apex
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content.
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