Book description
The New York Times BestsellerA New York Times Notable Book of 2022Named one of Vanity Fair's "Best Books of 2022""Not since Robert Caro's Years of Lyndon Johnson have I been so riveted by a work of history. Secret City is not gay history. It is American history."--George StephanopoulosWashington, D.C., has always been a city of secrets. Few have been more dramatic than the ones revealed in James Kirchick's Secret City. For decades, the specter of homosexuality haunted Washington. The mere suggestion that a person might be gay destroyed reputations, ended careers, and ruined lives. At the height of the Cold War, fear of homosexuality became intertwined with the growing threat of international communism, leading to a purge of gay men and lesbians from the federal government. In the fevered atmosphere of political Washington, the secret "too loathsome to mention" held enormous, terrifying power. Utilizing thousands of pages of declassified documents, interviews with over one hundred people, and material unearthed from presidential libraries and archives around the country, Secret City is a chronicle of American politics like no other. Beginning with the tragic story of Sumner Welles, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's brilliant diplomatic advisor and the man at the center of "the greatest national scandal since the existence of the United States," James Kirchick illuminates how homosexuality shaped each successive presidential administration through the end of the twentieth century. Cultural and political anxiety over gay people sparked a decades-long witch hunt, impacting everything from the rivalry between the CIA and the FBI to the ascent of Joseph McCarthy, the struggle for Black civil rights, and the rise of the conservative movement. Among other revelations, Kirchick tells of the World War II-era gay spymaster who pioneered seduction as a tool of American espionage, the devoted aide whom Lyndon Johnson treated as a son yet abandoned once his homosexuality was discovered, and how allegations of a "homosexual ring" controlling Ronald Reagan nearly derailed his 1980 election victory. Magisterial in scope and intimate in detail, Secret City will forever transform our understanding of American history.
Valley Guardian
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening.
WanderWord
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. ๐ฉโ๐ณ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales โ cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! ๐ณ๐ง ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
THRESHmSTR
ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Jo Jo Spooky
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play โ it's genius! ๐๐ Turn traffic into a literary escape โ this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ๐๐ง My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
Stud
Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it! I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Bugger
This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure!
Thrasher
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. ๐๏ธ๐ง Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads โ this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ๐๏ธ๐ I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itโs so easy.
Curio
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Mad Jack
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. Audiobooks have never been this engaging โ this app takes them to the next level. No more carrying heavy books โ this app has transformed my reading habits. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Plenty Orange
Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donโt have the time. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Friday Ferrari
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
InsightInkwell
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. I can't get enough of this app's convenience โ it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
Knock Out Star
Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
QuestQuill
ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineโgood narration, decent storyโbut it didnโt leave a lasting impression. If youโre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Terror Master
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations โ it's like the app knows me! I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. Audiobook pleasure simplified โ this app's functionality is a reader's delight. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
Flakes
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting โ pure magic! This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Ladybird
Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits โ it's a game-changer. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ๐๐ฑ Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youโre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Metal Aphrodite
I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. ๐ถ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! ๐ถ๐ I canโt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Baked ZD
This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable.
Purity
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
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