Book description
One historian's journey to find the end of the Civil War-and, along the way, to expand our understanding of the nature of war itself and how societies struggle to draw the line between war and peaceLOS ANGELES TIMES "TOP TEN BOOKS TO READ IN 2025""Eye-opening, disturbing, moving and at times jaw-dropping . . . Once in a great while a book arrives that allows us to rediscover the strange inexhaustibility of the Civil War. Lincoln's Peace is such a book." -Tony Kushner "Lincoln's Peace does something remarkable: It makes us think about familiar questions in an entirely new and engaging way. A marvelous achievement." -Jon Meacham "Helps us understand what the war was all about and whether in some ways it is still being fought." -Eric FonerWe set out on the James River, March 25, 1865, aboard the paddle steamboat River Queen. President Lincoln is on his way to General Grant's headquarters at City Point, Virginia, and he's decided he won't return to Washington until he's witnessed, or perhaps even orchestrated, the end of the Civil War. Now, it turns out, more than a century and a half later, historians are still searching for that end. Was it April 9, at Appomattox, as conventional wisdom holds, where Lee surrendered to Grant in Wilmer McLean's parlor? Or was it ten weeks afterward, in Galveston, where a federal commander proclaimed Juneteenth the end of slavery? Or perhaps in August of 1866, when President Andrew Johnson simply declared "the insurrection is at an end"? That the answer was elusive was baffling even to a historian of the stature of Michael Vorenberg, whose work served as a key source of Steven Spielberg's Lincoln. Vorenberg was inspired to write this groundbreaking book, finding its title in the peace Lincoln hoped for but could not make before his assassination. A peace that required not one but many endings, as Vorenberg reveals in these pages, the most important of which came well more than a year after Lincoln's untimely death. To say how a war ends is to suggest how it should be remembered, and Vorenberg's search is not just for the Civil War's endpoint but for its true nature and legacy, so essential to the American identity. It's also a quest, in our age of "forever wars," to understand whether the United States's interminable conflicts of the current era have a precedent in the Civil War-and whether, in a sense, wars ever end at all, or merely wax and wane.
Starshine
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Berry Succubus
Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. 📚👌 Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience.
Tough Nut
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Kill Switch
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧
ManMaker
This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Sun Washer
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. 🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Zero Corn
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. 🔥 Elevating my reading routine to new heights – this app is a real page-turner! 📚🚀 An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Nacho
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Red Pepper
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning.
Winded On Friday
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Roadblock
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again – it's a must-have app. 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 📚 Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks – wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! 👗🎧 ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. 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!
Midnight Rambler
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
Green Scavenger
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. 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!
Tunez
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
Are Ess Tee
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! 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.
ZenZone
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Round Kick Boomer
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Burst Nibbler
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏 Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
RiddleRanger
👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 💪 Doubling the impact of my workouts – exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! 💪🎧
Voodoo Cyclone
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there.
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