Book description
A finalist for the PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award The gripping story of the most important overlooked commodity in the world--sand--and the crucial role it plays in our lives. After water and air, sand is the natural resource that we consume more than any other--even more than oil. Every concrete building and paved road on Earth, every computer screen and silicon chip, is made from sand. From Egypt's pyramids to the Hubble telescope, from the world's tallest skyscraper to the sidewalk below it, from Chartres' stained-glass windows to your iPhone, sand shelters us, empowers us, engages us, and inspires us. It's the ingredient that makes possible our cities, our science, our lives--and our future. And, incredibly, we're running out of it. The World in a Grain is the compelling true story of the hugely important and diminishing natural resource that grows more essential every day, and of the people who mine it, sell it, build with it--and sometimes, even kill for it. It's also a provocative examination of the serious human and environmental costs incurred by our dependence on sand, which has received little public attention. Not all sand is created equal: Some of the easiest sand to get to is the least useful. Award-winning journalist Vince Beiser delves deep into this world, taking readers on a journey across the globe, from the United States to remote corners of India, China, and Dubai to explain why sand is so crucial to modern life. Along the way, readers encounter world-changing innovators, island-building entrepreneurs, desert fighters, and murderous sand pirates. The result is an entertaining and eye-opening work, one that is both unexpected and involving, rippling with fascinating detail and filled with surprising characters.
Eye Devil
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination.
West Warrior
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§ ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session.
HolyCombo
Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
The Final Judgement
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Star Killer
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Sandbox
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
CuriousCoder
This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
Doz
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Contrary Mary
Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Alias Stick
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Lil Rebel Ma
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Kickstart
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable.
Tin Fox
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers! My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
CodeExia
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Pixy Mox
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Bugger
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π
Bit Sentinel
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams!
Juice Petite
ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Friday Fox
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Cabbie
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
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