Book description
"Reads like a nail-biting thriller." -- Library Journal, starred review A gripping new history celebrating the remarkable heroes of the Johnstown Flood--the deadliest flood in U.S. history--from NBC host and legendary weather authority Al Roker Central Pennsylvania, May 31, 1889: After a deluge of rain--nearly a foot in less than twenty-four hours--swelled the Little Conemaugh River, panicked engineers watched helplessly as swiftly rising waters threatened to breach the South Fork dam, built to create a private lake for a fishing and hunting club that counted among its members Andrew Mellon, Henry Clay Frick, and Andrew Carnegie. Though the engineers telegraphed neighboring towns on this last morning in May warning of the impending danger, residents--factory workers and their families--remained in their homes, having grown used to false alarms. At 3:10 P.M., the dam gave way, releasing 20 million tons of water. Gathering speed as it flowed southwest, the deluge wiped out nearly everything in its path and picked up debris--trees, houses, animals--before reaching Johnstown, a vibrant steel town fourteen miles downstream. Traveling 40 miles an hour, with swells as high as 60 feet, the deadly floodwaters razed the mill town--home to 20,000 people--in minutes. The Great Flood, as it would come to be called, remains the deadliest in US history, killing more than 2,200 people and causing $17 million in damage. In Ruthless Tide, Al Roker follows an unforgettable cast of characters whose fates converged because of that tragic day, including John Parke, the engineer whose heroic efforts failed to save the dam; the robber barons whose fancy sport fishing resort was responsible for modifications that weakened the dam; and Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, who spent five months in Johnstown leading one of the first organized disaster relief efforts in the United States. Weaving together their stories and those of many ordinary citizens whose lives were forever altered by the event, Ruthless Tide is testament to the power of the human spirit in times of tragedy and also a timely warning about the dangers of greed, inequality, neglected infrastructure, and the ferocious, uncontrollable power of nature.
“Reads like a nail-biting thriller.” — Library Journal, starred review A gripping new history celebrating the remarkable heroes of the Johnstown Flood—the deadliest flood in U.S. history—from NBC host and legendary weather authority Al Roker Central Pennsylvania, May 31, 1889: After a deluge of rain—nearly a foot in less than twenty-four hours—swelled the Little Conemaugh River, panicked engineers watched helplessly as swiftly rising waters threatened to breach the South Fork dam, built to create a private lake for a fishing and hunting club that counted among its members Andrew Mellon, Henry Clay Frick, and Andrew Carnegie. Though the engineers telegraphed neighboring towns on this last morning in May warning of the impending danger, residents—factory workers and their families—remained in their homes, having grown used to false alarms. At 3:10 P.M., the dam gave way, releasing 20 million tons of water. Gathering speed as it flowed southwest, the deluge wiped out nearly everything in its path and picked up debris—trees, houses, animals—before reaching Johnstown, a vibrant steel town fourteen miles downstream. Traveling 40 miles an hour, with swells as high as 60 feet, the deadly floodwaters razed the mill town—home to 20,000 people—in minutes. The Great Flood, as it would come to be called, remains the deadliest in US history, killing more than 2,200 people and causing $17 million in damage. In Ruthless Tide, Al Roker follows an unforgettable cast of characters whose fates converged because of that tragic day, including John Parke, the engineer whose heroic efforts failed to save the dam; the robber barons whose fancy sport fishing resort was responsible for modifications that weakened the dam; and Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, who spent five months in Johnstown leading one of the first organized disaster relief efforts in the United States. Weaving together their stories and those of many ordinary citizens whose lives were forever altered by the event, Ruthless Tide is testament to the power of the human spirit in times of tragedy and also a timely warning about the dangers of greed, inequality, neglected infrastructure, and the ferocious, uncontrollable power of nature.
Blackfire
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Serendipity
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Chapstick
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces – this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. 📱🔊
Gothic Gucci
ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. 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!
SWAT Honey
I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Zesty Dragon
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Mental Prophet
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Divine Bramble
With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Granola
🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go.
Freaky Ratbuster
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
Baby Brown
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
The Happy Jock
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. 🌌 Elevating my reading routine – this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. 📚🔑 The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks.
GoldTouch
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices.
Atlantic Rim
🚶♀️🌌 This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure – I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. 🏞️📖 Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
ThermalMode
🚗 Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures – audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! 🚗📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
SneakerKid
📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 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.
Midnight Bat
I'm addicted to this app – it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
Prez Dog
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes!
Lord Nikon
Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Tornado Maker
Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
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