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.
Lightweight
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Nice Gnome
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful.
Nessie
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QuestQuill
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Friday Fox
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
The Shield Toronto
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Grave Digger
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Mr. Lucky
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. Iβm 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!
Pinball Esq
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app.
Phoenix Sparrow
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
WordWanderer
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Sloth
Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Chip Queen
Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ 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.
Skylark
π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
The China Wall
The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight.
FlyGuardX
πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. ππ« The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Vermilion
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Street Jolly
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Die Slice
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Mrs. Voltage
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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