Book description
A momentous look at the private companies building a revolutionary new economy in space, from the New York Times bestselling author of Elon MuskIn When the Heavens Went on Sale, Ashlee Vance illuminates our future and unveils the next big technology story of our time: welcome to the Wild West of aerospace engineering and its unprecedented impact on our lives. With the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket in 2008, Silicon Valley began to realize that the universe itself was open for business. Now, Vance tells the remarkable, unfolding story of this frenzied intergalactic land grab by following four pioneering companies--Astra, Firefly, Planet Labs, and Rocket Lab--as they build new space systems and attempt to launch rockets and satellites into orbit by the thousands. With the public fixated on the space tourism being driven by the likes of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson, these new, scrappy companies arrived with a different set of goals: to make rocket and satellite launches fast and cheap, thereby opening Earth's lower orbit for business. Vance has had a front-row seat and singular access to this peculiar and unprecedented moment in history, and he chronicles it all in full color: the top-secret launch locations, communes, gun-toting bodyguards, drugs, espionage investigations, and multimillionaires guzzling booze to dull the pain as their fortunes disappear.Through immersive and intimate reporting, When the Heavens Went on Sale reveals the spectacular chaos of the new business of space, and what happens when the idealistic, ambitious minds of Silicon Valley turn their unbridled vision toward the limitless expanse of the stars. This is the tale of technology's most pressing and controversial revolution, as told through fascinating characters chasing unimaginable stakes in the race to space.
Ladybird
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯ ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion.
Flame OUT
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Manly Reno
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
Wiccan Trouble
Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
RZRWRE
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ
Fresh Peper
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
New York Mood
With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Granola
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session.
Pinball Wizard
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces.
AxelRoad
π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. 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.
Fatsy Bear
I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Delirium
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
101
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ππ± CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
NexusNomad
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯
Junkyard Dog
With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
LoreLoomer
Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
The Dude
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Darth 44
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. π§π± The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
TeederSmartie
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Pixy Mox
πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in!
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