Book description
This true crime odyssey explores a forgotten, astonishing chapter of American history, leading the reader from a free-love community in upstate New York to the shocking assassination of President James Garfield. It was heaven on earth--and, some whispered, the devil's garden. Thousands came by trains and carriages to see this new Eden, carved from hundreds of acres of wild woodland. They marveled at orchards bursting with fruit, thick herds of Ayrshire cattle and Cotswold sheep, and whizzing mills. They gaped at the people who lived in this place--especially the women, with their queer cropped hair and shamelessly short skirts. The men and women of this strange outpost worked and slept together--without sin, they claimed. From 1848 to 1881, a small utopian colony in upstate New York--the Oneida Community--was known for its shocking sexual practices, from open marriage and free love to the sexual training of young boys by older women. And in 1881, a one-time member of the Oneida Community--Charles Julius Guiteau--assassinated President James Garfield in a brutal crime that shook America to its core. An Assassin in Utopia is the first book that weaves together these explosive stories in a tale of utopian experiments, political machinations, and murder. This deeply researched narrative--by bestselling author Susan Wels--tells the true, interlocking stories of the Oneida Community and its radical founder, John Humphrey Noyes; his idol, the eccentric newspaper publisher Horace Greeley (founder of the New Yorker and the New York Tribune); and the gloomy, indecisive President James Garfield--who was assassinated after his first six months in office. Juxtaposed to their stories is the odd tale of Garfield's assassin, the demented Charles Julius Guiteau, who was connected to all of them in extraordinary, surprising ways. Against a vivid backdrop of ambition, hucksterism, epidemics, and spectacle, the book's interwoven stories fuse together in the climactic murder of President Garfield in 1881--at the same time as the Oneida Community collapsed. Colorful and compelling, An Assassin in Utopia is a page-turning odyssey through America's nineteenth-century cultural and political landscape.
Shade Nightman
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. 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! Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Lord Theus
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. 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. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Feral Filly
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Nola
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Jelly Camber
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Fire Bite
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Sugar Domino
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone!
Venious
This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Audiobook excellence simplified – this app's functionality is a true delight. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Bom Crossed
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Snapple Whistler
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Treasure Devil
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Fast FLAK
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. 📚👌 I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Tall Honey
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Leaf Assassin
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Santa's Little Helper
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Vixen
Audiobooks have never been this accessible – this app is a true innovation. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Marbles
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
Pinball Wizard
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Day Hawk
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
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