Book description
An enthralling literary tour-de-force that pays tribute to Detroit's legendary neighborhood, a mecca for jazz, sports, and politics, Black Bottom Saints is a powerful blend of fact and imagination reminiscent of E.L. Doctorow's classic novel Ragtime and Marlon James' Man Booker Award-winning masterpiece, A Brief History of Seven Killings.From the Great Depression through the post-World War II years, Joseph "Ziggy" Johnson, has been the pulse of Detroit's famous Black Bottom. A celebrated gossip columnist for the city's African-American newspaper, the Michigan Chronicle, he is also the emcee of one of the hottest night clubs, where he's rubbed elbows with the legendary black artists of the era, including Ethel Waters, Billy Eckstein, and Count Basie. Ziggy is also the founder and dean of the Ziggy Johnson School of Theater. But now the doyen of Black Bottom is ready to hang up his many dapper hats. As he lays dying in the black-owned-and-operated Kirkwood Hospital, Ziggy reflects on his life, the community that was the center of his world, and the remarkable people who helped shape it.Inspired by the Catholic Saints Day Books, Ziggy curates his own list of Black Bottom's venerable "52 Saints." Among them are a vulnerable Dinah Washington, a defiant Joe Louis, and a raucous Bricktop. Randall balances the stories of these larger-than-life "Saints" with local heroes who became household names, enthralling men and women whose unstoppable ambition, love of style, and faith in community made this black Midwestern neighborhood the rival of New York City's Harlem.Accompanying these "tributes" are thoughtfully paired cocktails--special drinks that capture the essence of each of Ziggy's saints--libations as strong and satisfying as Alice Randall's wholly original view of a place and time unlike any other.
SprkR
📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives.
Good-lookin’
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 🎉 Unveiling the joy of reading once again – this app is my gateway to literary wonders! 📚🔓 The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Jester
Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers.
Tin Fox
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Uncle Psycho
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨ ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
K-Tin Man
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. 🌌 Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey – thank you, this app! ✨📚 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
RightN0w2
ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Miss Mustard
ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Homerun Diva
I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened. 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.
Frosty
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. 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!
Old Man Winter
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Dangle
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! 💼 Workday blues? Not anymore – this app turns my office hours into reading time! 💻📖 🚶♀️🎧 Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks – pure bliss! 🏞️📚
MindfulMingle
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket – truly amazing! ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
CyberScribe
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights – I'm never without a good story. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
StarStrider
Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend! Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Bad Bunny
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚 ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Firefly
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literature. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature! ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Athena Star
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Hex Panther
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Jersey
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
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