Book description
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 GILDER LEHRMAN LINCOLN PRIZE From the New York Times bestselling presidential biographer comes the greatest untold story of the Civil War: how two American presidents faced off as the fate of the nation hung in the balance-and how Abraham Lincoln came to embrace emancipation as the last, best chance to save the Union. Of all the books written on Abraham Lincoln, there has been one surprising gap: the drama of how the "railsplitter" from Illinois grew into his critical role as U.S. commander-in-chief, and managed to outwit his formidable opponent, Jefferson Davis, in what remains history's only military faceoff between rival American presidents. Davis was a trained soldier and war hero; Lincoln a country lawyer who had only briefly served in the militia. Confronted with the most violent and challenging war ever seen on American soil, Lincoln seemed ill-suited to the task: inexperienced, indecisive, and a poor judge of people's motives, he allowed his administration's war policies to be sabotaged by fickle, faithless cabinet officials while entrusting command of his army to a preening young officer named George McClellan - whose defeat in battle left Washington, the nation's capital, at the mercy of General Robert E. Lee, Davis's star performer. The war almost ended there. But in a Shakespearean twist, Lincoln summoned the courage to make, at last, a climactic decision: issuing as a "military necessity" a proclamation freeing the 3.5 million enslaved Americans without whom the South could not feed or fund their armed insurrection. The new war policy doomed the rebellion-which was in dire need of support from Europe, none of whose governments now would dare to recognize rebel "independence" in a war openly fought over slavery. The fate of President Davis was sealed. With a cast of unforgettable characters, from first ladies to fugitive coachmen to treasonous cabinet officials, Lincoln vs. Davis is a spellbinding dual biography from renowned presidential chronicler Nigel Hamilton: a saga that will surprise, touch, and enthrall.
Mad Jack
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
CyberScribe
🎉 Unlocking the door to imagination – this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. 📚🔑 Audiobook excellence simplified – this app's functionality is a true delight. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
CodeExia
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Shadow Bishop
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
DragonBlood
The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Lunar Treat
⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
Gothic Slacker
I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go.
Icy Avenger
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
CuriousCrafter
💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Cricket
I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer! The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Scrapper
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Lord Pistachio
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Cool Whip
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used. 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! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
VenusLion
This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Mercury Reborn
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate.
Lava Nibbler
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 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. 📱🔊
Irish Dze
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks – it's truly invigorating. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content.
Toolmaker
I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. 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!
Athens Fire
Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Queen Ginger
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. 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.
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