Book description
The road to hell is paved with good intentions...and gold dust. When Henry Jenkins's sawmill business goes bust and his family loses their Indiana farm to foreclosure, he sees gold as the answer to his financial woes. Joining a company of younger men, Jenkins and the other prospective miners sign fraudulent promissory notes to borrow from a ruthless businessman, Allen Makepeace, to reach the gold mines. They sail the risky route via Panama to the mines in 1851. But gold is not so easy to find by then. Making enough to survive and get home will be difficult; repaying Makepeace could be impossible. As Henry Jenkins becomes mired in mining, his wife, Abby, struggles to meet the needs of her large family amidst crop failures, waves of deadly disease, and harassment by Henry's creditors. When Henry's sons-in-law follow in his wake, they find themselves on a notorious death ship, stranded in the vast Pacific. Will any of these frantic men make it home to their distressed families? Fortune's Frenzy reveals the plight of miners who borrowed at extortionate rates to get to California, and explores the dangerous and deadly sea routes to the west coast that killed roughly 10 percent of those who risked the journey. Alternating between the miners' trials and terrors, and the challenges for the wives, children, and mothers left behind, Fortune's Frenzy delves into the country's pressing social, economic, and nationalist issues in the pre-Civil War decades. The theme is age-old, and still relevant: desperate people falling for get-rich-quick schemes. They fail to consider the sacrifices they will have to make and the dismal odds of their success.
Old Man Winter
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
ByteBard
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Audiobook immersion without complications β this app's ease of use is commendable. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
CuriousCraft
This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Energy
Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it. 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.
Midnight Rambler
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. 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!
Marbles
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores β this app is a lifesaver! ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Venom Petunia
π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Poptart AK47
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable.
RealmRanger
I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Upper D3ckR
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless.
Koi Diva
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. No more straining my eyes to read β now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use.
Athena Star
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§
xSTORMx
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Indestructible Potato
πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Firedog
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Firecracker
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§ ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
SmartieQuest
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences.
Frosty Sunshine
This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π π Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ππ Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π
Street Jolly
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Speedwell
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly.
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