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.
Mantis Queen
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books.
CuriousCraft
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move – it's like having a tutor by my side.
Sass Burst
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Midas
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Spontan8ty
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Dark Horse
This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Vixen
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Sky
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. 📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
QuestQuill
ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Cooger
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring!
2nd Hand Joe
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Sky Trinity
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. 🎉🎧 ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Wings
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's pure bliss. 🌌 Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey – thank you, this app! ✨📚 ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Dandelion
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literature. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Troubadour
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app.
Cuff Queen
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Elder Pogue
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Heavenly Connection
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! 🎉 Unveiling the joy of reading once again – this app is my gateway to literary wonders! 📚🔓 An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Redneck Giorgio
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Barbera Shift
No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
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