Book description
Available once again, the definitive biography of the pioneering Black performer—the first nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award—who broke new ground in Hollywood and helped transform American society in the years before Civil Rights movement—a remarkable woman of her time who also transcended it. “An ambitious, rigorously researched account of the long-ignored film star and chanteuse. . . . Bogle has fashioned a resonant history of a bygone era in Hollywood and passionately documented the contribution of one of its most dazzling and complex performers."—New York Times Book ReviewIn the segregated world of 1950s America, few celebrities were as talented, beautiful, glamorous, and ultimately influential as Dorothy Dandridge. Universally admired, she was Hollywood's first full-fledged Black movie star. Film historian Donald Bogle offers a panoramic portrait of Dorothy Dandridge’s extraordinary and ultimately tragic life and career, from her early years as a child performer in Cleveland, to her rise as a nightclub headliner and movie star, to her heartbreaking death at 42. Bogle reveals how this exceptionally talented and intensely ambitious entertainer broke down racial barriers by integrating some of America's hottest nightclubs and broke through Tinseltown’s glass ceiling. Along with her smash appearances at venues such as Harlem’s famed Cotton Club, Dorothy starred in numerous films, making history with her role in Otto Preminger’s Carmen Jones, playing opposite Harry Belafonte. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress—the first Oscar nod for a woman of color.But Dorothy’s wealth, fame, and success masked a reality fraught with contradiction and illusion. Struggling to find good roles professionally, uncomfortable with her image as a sex goddess, coping with the aftermath of two unhappy marriages and a string of unfulfilling affairs, and overwhelmed with guilt for her disabled daughter, Dorothy found herself emotionally and financially bankrupt—despair that ended in her untimely death.Woven from extensive research and unique interviews, as magnetic as the woman at its heart, Dorothy Dandridge captures this dazzling entertainer in all her complexity: her strength and vulnerability, her joy and her pain, her trials and her triumphs.
Doughboy, Esq
Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. 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!
Snout Pixie
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Pinball Esq
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Tabasco Dracula
No more straining my eyes to read – now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. 🎧 Navigating through narratives has never been simpler – this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. 📚💫 ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
King Bass
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! 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.
LunaStar
👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. 📖🔊 ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me.
Twisty Dew
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Alley Fiend
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out.
Scratch
📱 An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts – it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! 📚💡 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Tacklebox
Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Lounge Master
This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱 Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
MicroStar
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Hen Skittle
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Cosmo
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. 📱🔊 Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
ManMaker
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Troubled Pie
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content.
TrixiePhany
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice! 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.
Mental
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literature. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Kamikaze Grandma
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Spellbinder
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight.
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