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.
Undergrad Split
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Snow Cream
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§ π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Video Game Heroine
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing.
Neophyte Believer
User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Washer
πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Unseen
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ
Chew Chew
I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. ππ« The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Broomspun
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control.
Bleeker
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now!
Double Eerie
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is β it's like being inside the story. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience.
21st Street
I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Washer
This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon.
Pexxious
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Corny
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Potato Sub
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodβwhat a creative addition! Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Pinball Wizard
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯ Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Juice Petite
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! ListenBookβs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Alley Fiend
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itβs the best audiobook app Iβve used.
Sherwood Gladiator
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. 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
LunaStar
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
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