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.
Whip Chu
πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π
Daffy Neo
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. β° Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks β energizing! π π§ πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
MindfulMingle
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Turnip King
This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Screwtape
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. 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.
Kimono Goddess
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Sugar Hiccup
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! I can't get enough of this app β it's a true game-changer for book lovers.
NightWonka
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ
Admiral Tot
The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively.
General Broomdog
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Sweet Bacon
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ 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 The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate.
Rosie Bird
π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³ ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
Tall Honey
With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment.
ByteBard
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Heaven Sent
With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Papa Smurf
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Alley Frog
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus!
Candy Butcher
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 Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it! Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
TeederSmartie
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Feline Devil
π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π πΌ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives β this app is my multitasking hero! π»π
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