Book description
"Another gem from one of the world's justly celebrated historians specializing in unusual and always fascinating subjects and people." -- Booklist (starred review)The revered New York Times bestselling author traces the development of technology from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age to explore the single component crucial to advancement--precision--in a superb history that is both an homage and a warning for our future.The rise of manufacturing could not have happened without an attention to precision. At the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in eighteenth-century England, standards of measurement were established, giving way to the development of machine tools--machines that make machines. Eventually, the application of precision tools and methods resulted in the creation and mass production of items from guns and glass to mirrors, lenses, and cameras--and eventually gave way to further breakthroughs, including gene splicing, microchips, and the Hadron Collider.Simon Winchester takes us back to origins of the Industrial Age, to England where he introduces the scientific minds that helped usher in modern production: John Wilkinson, Henry Maudslay, Joseph Bramah, Jesse Ramsden, and Joseph Whitworth. It was Thomas Jefferson who later exported their discoveries to the fledgling United States, setting the nation on its course to become a manufacturing titan. Winchester moves forward through time, to today's cutting-edge developments occurring around the world, from America to Western Europe to Asia.As he introduces the minds and methods that have changed the modern world, Winchester explores fundamental questions. Why is precision important? What are the different tools we use to measure it? Who has invented and perfected it? Has the pursuit of the ultra-precise in so many facets of human life blinded us to other things of equal value, such as an appreciation for the age-old traditions of craftsmanship, art, and high culture? Are we missing something that reflects the world as it is, rather than the world as we think we would wish it to be? And can the precise and the natural co-exist in society?
360
ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. Iβm 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! This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Fire Bite
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Betty Cricket
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! ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
Mum Mary
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Skull Crusher
ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
MindfulMingle
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π
Pearl Girl
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Handsome
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats.
Accidental Genius
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate β it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
Bad Beret
π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique.
Riff Raff
πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ β° Waking up to audiobooks β mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! βοΈπ§ The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Lady Pomegranate
This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Snapdragon
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Stacker of Wheat
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§
Candy Butcher
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences.
InsightInkwell
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Stick Shift
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Sultan of Speed
ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Muzish
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itβs the best audiobook app Iβve used.
Hyper
This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
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