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.
Light Despair
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats – it truly supports all my audio needs. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Mother Night
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again – but in a modern, convenient way. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a game-changer.
BlackExcalibur
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in!
Firecracker
This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
High Beam
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
Black Walnut
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. 💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! 📱🔊 ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions.
Steel Solstice
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse.
Racy Lion
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
JesterZilla
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me!
Twinkle
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Uluru Walker
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Mule Lock
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play – it's genius! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
DreamDiver
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. 🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable.
West Warrior
📚 Turning my phone into a portal of stories – this app's ease of use is remarkable! 📱💫 Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Low Menace
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless.
Scrapper
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
LuminaLore
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! 📱🔊 The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Dark Horse
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures.
Bambi Wings
💼 Workday blues? Not anymore – this app turns my office hours into reading time! 💻📖 With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Petite Beauty
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. 🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 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!
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