Book description
"A delightful and fascinating book filled with insight and wit, which will make you think twice and cheer up." -- Steven PinkerIn a bold and provocative interpretation of economic history, Matt Ridley, the New York Times-bestselling author of Genome and The Red Queen, makes the case for an economics of hope, arguing that the benefits of commerce, technology, innovation, and change--what Ridley calls cultural evolution--will inevitably increase human prosperity. Fans of the works of Jared Diamond (Guns, Germs, and Steel), Niall Ferguson (The Ascent of Money), and Thomas Friedman (The World Is Flat) will find much to ponder and enjoy in The Rational Optimist.For two hundred years the pessimists have dominated public discourse, insisting that things will soon be getting much worse. But in fact, life is getting better--and at an accelerating rate. Food availability, income, and life span are up; disease, child mortality, and violence are down all across the globe. Africa is following Asia out of poverty; the Internet, the mobile phone, and container shipping are enriching people's lives as never before.An astute, refreshing, and revelatory work that covers the entire sweep of human history--from the Stone Age to the Internet--The Rational Optimist will change your way of thinking about the world for the better.
Athena Star
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Blade
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Gov Skull
📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨ Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. 📱🔊 Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Jelly Camber
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by! ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits.
WittyWordsmith
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. 🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Nessie
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. User-friendly audiobook experience – this app's design is a standout. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Snowflake Pixie
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. 🌟🎧 Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Highway
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend! 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!
Kabuki
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. 📱 No more lugging around heavy books – this app brings the library to my phone! 📚📱
Red Hot Kevorkian
Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
IdeaAlchemy
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically.
Unseen
ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Beo
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening.
Kill Switch
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 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!
Midnight Bat
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. ListenBook’s 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.
Mosquit-No
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Shay
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Cosmo
This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Divine Bramble
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks. 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!
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