Book description
"[A] tour de force of global history...Bosma has turned the humble sugar crystal into a mighty prism for understanding aspects of global history and the world in which we live."--Los Angeles Review of Books The definitive 2,500-year history of sugar and its human costs, from its little-known origins as a luxury good in Asia to worldwide environmental devastation and the obesity pandemic. For most of history, humans did without refined sugar. After all, it serves no necessary purpose in our diets, and extracting it from plants takes hard work and ingenuity. Granulated sugar was first produced in India around the sixth century BC, yet for almost 2,500 years afterward sugar remained marginal in the diets of most people. Then, suddenly, it was everywhere. How did sugar find its way into almost all the food we eat, fostering illness and ecological crisis along the way? The World of Sugar begins with the earliest evidence of sugar production. Through the Middle Ages, traders brought small quantities of the precious white crystals to rajahs, emperors, and caliphs. But after sugar crossed the Mediterranean to Europe, where cane could not be cultivated, demand spawned a brutal quest for supply. European cravings were satisfied by enslaved labor; two-thirds of the 12.5 million Africans taken across the Atlantic were destined for sugar plantations. By the twentieth century, sugar was a major source of calories in diets across Europe and North America. Sugar transformed life on every continent, creating and destroying whole cultures through industrialization, labor migration, and changes in diet. Sugar made fortunes, corrupted governments, and shaped the policies of technocrats. And it provoked freedom cries that rang with world-changing consequences. In Ulbe Bosma's definitive telling, to understand sugar's past is to glimpse the origins of our own world of corn syrup and ethanol and begin to see the threat that a not-so-simple commodity poses to our bodies, our environment, and our communities.
DragonBlood
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks โ pure bliss! ๐๏ธ๐ Simplifying audiobook management โ this app's functionality is a true asset.
Lady Fantastic
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. ๐ Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions โ audiobooks make it a breeze! ๐๐ง ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible.
Winter Underdog
Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ๐๐ The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Opulent Gamer
My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Gabriel Dandelion
๐ฉโ๐ณ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales โ cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! ๐ณ๐ง Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Troubadour
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys โ this app's ease of use is a winner. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. 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.
Bowie
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze โ this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Nickname Master
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings.
Instant Star
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. Audiobooks at my fingertips โ this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Audiobook multitasking made simple โ this app's functionality is a true delight. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
Gold Dahlia
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls โ it's a joy to navigate. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features โ from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. ๐ถ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! ๐ถ๐
Gold Bentley
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed.
Noise Toy
I've become addicted to this app โ in the best possible way! The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackโit's all up to me! The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Lady Fantastic
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itโs perfect for my needs.
Saber-RED
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Poptart AK47
This app is a true gift for book lovers โ it's like having a personal library wherever I go. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. ๐ Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! ๐ฑ๐
FearLeSS
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donโt have the time. One of the best audiobooks Iโve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorโs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Vermilion
๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ ๐ช Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier โ this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. ๐ผ๐ I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Miss Lucky
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines โ it's a game-changer. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Domino Combat
๐ Embracing reading in the digital age โ this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. ๐ฑ๐ Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me.
StorySculptor
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
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