Book description
The American Experiment, narrated by a stellar cast of voices, turns the page on David Rubenstein's trilogy with an exuberant, almost celebratory tone that feels both intimate and epic. From the opening notes, you can hear why this is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller: each interview feels like a live conversation rather than a lecture, as if the listeners are sitting in the same room as Ken Burns, Madeleine Albright, or Wynton Marsalis.
What makes the audiobook stand out is how Rubenstein weaves together history, culture, and personal anecdotes. Jill Lepore's reflection on America's promise is punctuated by the emotional resonance of Billie Jean King's triumphs in sports, while Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s discussion of Reconstruction gains an unexpected musicality when paired with Marsalis' own stories about jazz as a form of resistance. The pacing never falters; even long stretches of historical exposition are broken up by witty remarks from hosts like Walter Isaacson and John Meacham, keeping the listener engaged.
The sound quality is top-notch: each guest's voice is recorded cleanly, with subtle ambient cues that give you a sense of place-think the echo of a courtroom in Elaine Weiss' suffrage segment or the bustling energy of a New York newsroom during Wynton Marsalis' music interview. The narrator's tone is warm and conversational, making complex topics feel accessible without dumbing them down.
Rubenstein's choice to bring together Pulitzer Prize winners, diplomats, musicians, and athletes demonstrates his belief that America's story cannot be told by one discipline alone. This mosaic of perspectives turns the audiobook into a living document-each chapter feels like a snapshot of the nation at a different moment in time, yet all are connected by an underlying theme: innovation and resilience.
If you're looking for more than just a historical overview, The American Experiment offers depth without overwhelming detail. It's perfect for commuters who want to absorb history in digestible chunks or anyone curious about how our past shapes the future of democracy, culture, and ideas. In short, this audiobook is a spirited celebration of America that invites listeners to reflect on what has been achieved-and what can still be imagined.
Flash Protein
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Troubadour
This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. 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!
Daffy Neo
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
Friday Fox
🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app! I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Apex
I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
SprkR
This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes – options galore to suit everyone's preferences. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
East Army
Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Crazy Rox
Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Bleach
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. This app's library is a treasure trove – I'm always discovering new favorites. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Drop Stone
Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Devil Bread
The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
MysticMingle
ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings.
Flash Protein
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨ Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! The interface is so clean and clutter-free. It’s a pleasure to use. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Minty Devil
User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. I love the auto-rewind feature. It’s great for when I zone out.
Divine Bramble
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. 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.
BuzzBait
ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Dakota Bliss
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. 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!
Mint Ness
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
Woodland Beauty
Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Hella Fella
Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
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