Book description
The untold history of slavery and resistance in California, from the Spanish missions, indentured Native American ranch hands, Indian boarding schools, Black miners, kidnapped Chinese prostitutes, and convict laborers to victims of modern trafficking “A searing survey of ‘250 years of human bondage’ in what is now the state of California. . . . Readers will be outraged.”—Publishers Weekly “A devastatingly detailed, urgent, and somewhat regretful confirmation of an inconvenient truth: Far from being the place where everyone got an equal chance, California embraced slavery from the outset.”—Erin Aubry Kaplan, Los Angeles Times California owes its origins and sunny prosperity to slavery. Spanish invaders captured Indigenous people to build the chain of Catholic missions. Russian otter hunters shipped Alaska Natives—the first slaves transported into California—and launched a Pacific slave triangle to China. Plantation slaves were marched across the plains for the Gold Rush. San Quentin Prison incubated California’s carceral state. Kidnapped Chinese girls were sold in caged brothels in early San Francisco. Indian boarding schools supplied new farms and hotels with unfree child workers. By looking west to California, Jean Pfaelzer upends our understanding of slavery as a North-South struggle and reveals how the enslaved in California fought, fled, and resisted human bondage. In unyielding research and vivid interviews, Pfaelzer exposes how California gorged on slavery, an appetite that persists today in a global trade in human beings lured by promises of jobs but who instead are imprisoned in sweatshops and remote marijuana grows, or sold as nannies and sex workers. Slavery shreds California’s utopian brand, rewrites our understanding of the West, and redefines America’s uneasy paths to freedom.
Golden Cougar
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚
StorySculptor
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Wiccan Thunder
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
German Coach
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Gov Skull
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚
Kevlar Wanted
🎧 This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! 📚🍳 ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Guillotine Trigger
I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app.
ZenZone
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
ThoughtTrail
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. 📱 Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories – this app is pure magic! 📚✨ 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚 ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature!
Pigeon Woman
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Bones
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Crossing Guard
User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. ListenBook is more than just an app – it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Flakes
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. 🎧 This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! 📚🍳 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly.
Mechani-Man
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests.
ThreadTrail
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories.
The Dude
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. Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Short Firecracker
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Hex Panther
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. 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. 📚👏 ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Scare Stone
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
VisionVortex
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
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