Book description
The Earth teems with life: in its oceans, forests, skies and cities. Yet there's a black hole at the heart of biology. We do not know why complex life is the way it is, or, for that matter, how life first began. In The Vital Question, award-winning author and biochemist Nick Lane radically reframes evolutionary history, putting forward a solution to conundrums that have puzzled generations of scientists.For two and a half billion years, from the very origins of life, single-celled organisms such as bacteria evolved without changing their basic form. Then, on just one occasion in four billion years, they made the jump to complexity. All complex life, from mushrooms to man, shares puzzling features, such as sex, which are unknown in bacteria. How and why did this radical transformation happen?The answer, Lane argues, lies in energy: all life on Earth lives off a voltage with the strength of a lightning bolt. Building on the pillars of evolutionary theory, Lane's hypothesis draws on cutting-edge research into the link between energy and cell biology, in order to deliver a compelling account of evolution from the very origins of life to the emergence of multicellular organisms, while offering deep insights into our own lives and deaths.Both rigorous and enchanting, The Vital Question provides a solution to life's vital question: why are we as we are, and indeed, why are we here at all?
Trip
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Fire Sass
ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
The Flying Mouse
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
JigKraken
With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
LoreLoomer
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
ChatterChampion
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver.
Nessie
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations β they're spot on. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. πΌ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives β this app is my multitasking hero! π»π
Pearl Girl
ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading.
Alley Frog
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Little Drunk Girl
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. πΌ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives β this app is my multitasking hero! π»π The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
LuminaLore
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable. Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
Whip 2T
πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§ WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Domino
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source.
Daisy Stick
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Sass Burst
Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off.
Elder Pogue
Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation. Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Mercury Reborn
π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze.
Star Jammer
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. Audiobooks on demand β this app's functionality is a true technological gem. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Chameleon
This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Snow Cream
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
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