Book description
Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow illuminates the full, fascinating, and complex life of the writer long celebrated as the father of American literature, Mark TwainBefore he was Mark Twain, he was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Born in 1835, the man who would become America's first, and most influential, literary celebrity spent his childhood dreaming of piloting steamboats on the Mississippi. But when the Civil War interrupted his career on the river, the young Twain went west to the Nevada Territory and accepted a job at a local newspaper, writing dispatches that attracted attention for their brashness and humor. It wasn't long before the former steamboat pilot from Missouri was recognized across the country for his literary brilliance, writing under a pen name that he would immortalize.In this richly nuanced portrait of Mark Twain, acclaimed biographer Ron Chernow brings his considerable powers to bear on a man who shamelessly sought fame and fortune, and crafted his persona with meticulous care. After establishing himself as a journalist, satirist, and lecturer, he eventually settled in Hartford with his wife and three daughters, where he went on to write The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He threw himself into the hurly-burly of American culture, and emerged as the nation's most notable political pundit. At the same time, his madcap business ventures eventually bankrupted him; to economize, Twain and his family spent nine eventful years in exile in Europe. He suffered the death of his wife and two daughters, and the last stage of his life was marked by heartache, political crusades, and eccentric behavior that sometimes obscured darker forces at play.Drawing on Twain's bountiful archives, including thousands of letters and hundreds of unpublished manuscripts, Chernow masterfully captures the man whose career reflected the country's westward expansion, industrialization, and foreign wars, and who was the most important white author of his generation to grapple so fully with the legacy of slavery. Today, more than one hundred years after his death, Twain's writing continues to be read, debated, and quoted. In this brilliant work of scholarship, a moving tribute to the writer's talent and humanity, Chernow reveals the magnificent and often maddening life of one of the most original characters in American history.
Toy Town
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚 My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
ChatterChampion
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Gunhawk
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Contrary Mary
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Tea Kettle
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
Spunky Chick
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier – this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. 📱🎧
Pocket Muzzie
I'm hooked on this app – it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Swerve
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
Gabriel Dandelion
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. 📱 It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. 📚🔥 Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Toy Town
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. 🌟🎧 Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
Roadspike
🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫 I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Breezy Mustang
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! 🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits.
Lewd Dice
With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. 🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me.
Mad Irishman
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Papa Smurf
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. 🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
Versace-Cat
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧 ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
Kevlar Wanted
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization – top-notch. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze.
Freesia
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way – through audiobooks! Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive.
9Lives
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks!
Lady Petal
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
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