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.
Delicious Cupid
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Sultan of Speed
I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
The Flying Mouse
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Chip Queen
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Mirage
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Drugstore Cowboy
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is a game-changer. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Kamikaze Granny
πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Danqqqqq
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a winner. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Mum Mary
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
Peanut Butter Woman
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Shay
I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Amphibi-Dangerous
π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
LunaStar
This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Chameleon
ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
Ember Rope
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! 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. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineβgood narration, decent storyβbut it didnβt leave a lasting impression. If youβre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Solitaire
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Howitzer Rise
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. Download options are plenty β I can get my audiobooks from various sources hassle-free. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Riff Raff
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind β and this app is my partner in crime. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature!
Vixen
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Esquire
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings.
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