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.
Genghis Glyph
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. ๐๐ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration โ this app keeps me engaged on the road! ๐๐ง Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Slacker Cat
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Wildcat Talent
This app is not just about convenience โ it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise.
Skylark
I can't stop raving about this app โ it's like having a personal library in my pocket. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ๐๐ง Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Cumulo
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. Audiobooks at my fingertips โ this app's ease of use is a game-changer.
Morbid Angel
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education โ it's brilliant! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Moonflower
This app is my travel companion โ making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Fire Bite
This app is a book lover's dream come true โ a vast library right at your fingertips. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes.
Mrs. Voltage
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Audiobooks at my fingertips โ this app's functionality is truly impressive. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! Iโm 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 Iโve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Spicy Thunder
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Miss Mustard
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodโwhat a creative addition!
Mad Robin
๐ Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks โ this app turns errands into epic quests! ๐๐ ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace.
Wiccan Thunder
ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
Lord Nikon
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze โ a true travel essential. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time.
Trigger Warming
๐ This app has turned my errands into exciting quests โ I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ๐๐ Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Voodoo Cyclone
Audiobooks anytime, anywhere โ this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Audiobooks on demand โ this app's functionality is a true technological gem. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Elektrik
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. I'm impressed by the app's performance โ it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Opulent Gamer
๐ง Navigating through narratives has never been simpler โ this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ๐๐ซ Effortless and enriching โ that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. ๐ฑ๐ The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied.
Beetle King
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app โ it's revitalizing. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
Mud Pie Man
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience.
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