Book description
Best-selling author Russell Shorto, praised for his incisive works of narrative history, never thought to write about his own past. He grew up knowing his grandfather and namesake was a small-town mob boss but maintained an unspoken family vow of silence. Then an elderly relative prodded: You're a writer--what are you gonna do about the story? Smalltime is a mob story straight out of central casting--but with a difference, for the small-town mob, which stretched from Schenectady to Fresno, is a mostly unknown world. The location is the brawny postwar factory town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The setting is City Cigar, a storefront next to City Hall, behind which Russ and his brother-in-law, "Little Joe," operate a gambling empire and effectively run the town. Smalltime is a riveting American immigrant story that travels back to Risorgimento Sicily, to the ancient, dusty, hill-town home of Antonino Sciotto, the author's great-grandfather, who leaves his wife and children in grinding poverty for a new life--and wife--in a Pennsylvania mining town. It's a tale of Italian Americans living in squalor and prejudice, and of the rise of Russ, who, like thousands of other young men, created a copy of the American establishment that excluded him. Smalltime draws an intimate portrait of a mobster and his wife, sudden riches, and the toll a lawless life takes on one family.But Smalltime is something more. The author enlists his ailing father--Tony, the mobster's son--as his partner in the search for their troubled patriarch. As secrets are revealed and Tony's health deteriorates, the book become an urgent and intimate exploration of three generations of the American immigrant experience. Moving, wryly funny, and richly detailed, Smalltime is an irresistible memoir by a masterful writer of historical narrative.
Scrapper
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Canary Apple Red
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³ Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Infinite Hole
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Doz
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Proper
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Brick Mooch
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Dorothy Solitaire
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WittyWordsmith
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ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
RealmRanger
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QuestWeaver
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QuestQuill
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Teeder
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Twinkle Cutlass
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
CZR
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go β it's like carrying a library in my pocket. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Howitzer Rise
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Dorothy Solitaire
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InsightfulInk
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Houston Rocket
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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