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.
ThoughtTracer
Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Whip Chu
This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go β it's like carrying a library in my pocket. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
RZRWRE
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Guillotine Trigger
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. ππ With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Ice
This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
Avenge Paws
Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. 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.
Poppy Coffee
π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π π Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner β this app adds flavor to every meal! π²π π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. 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!
Twinkle
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. 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!
Club Nola
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
SereneScribe
Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Vagabond Warrior
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
Emerald Goddess
Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Guillotine Trigger
I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Sherm
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Mr. Gadget
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. 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. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Sloth
π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience.
Leaf Assassin
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Wheels
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories.
Genghis Glyph
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Gr8 Flick
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. 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.
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