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.
Starshine
Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is remarkable. Organization made simple – this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. 📖📱 The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Lilac Lizard
Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Highway
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Apex
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers. The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use.
Sugar Apple
💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉 ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
The Dude
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages.
Natural Gold
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization.
Venious
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer.
Alias Stick
Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Trash
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
RZRWRE
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
Omega Sub
Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
QuantumQuipper
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use.
Greek Rifle
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail.
Gumby Train
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth.
BuzzBait
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout.
JK Friend
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. Audiobooks made simple – this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
Silver Cup
Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. 📱🔊 ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Natural Gold
👀📚 Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier – this app's soothing voices 😴🎧 🎧 My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. 📚🍳 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Emerald Goddess
ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
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