Book description
Every day, thousands of new secrets are created by the United States government. What is all this secrecy really for? And whom does it benefit? "Connelly has defined an existential crisis: the suppression of American history. . . . [He] makes the case that the culture of secrecy diminishes democracy. And it has now become a culture of destruction as well." --The New York Times Book Review Before World War II, transparent government was a proud tradition in the United States. In all but the most serious of circumstances, classification, covert operations, and spying were considered deeply un-American. But after the war, the power to decide what could be kept secret proved too tempting to give up. Since then, we have radically departed from that open tradition, allowing intelligence agencies, black sites, and classified laboratories to grow unchecked. Officials insist that only secrecy can keep us safe, but its true costs have gone unacknowledged for too long. Using the latest techniques in data science, historian Matthew Connelly analyzes a vast trove of state secrets to unearth not only what the government really does not want us to know but also why they don't want us to know it. Culling this research and carefully examining a series of pivotal moments in recent history, from Pearl Harbor to drone warfare, Connelly sheds light on the drivers of state secrecy--especially incompetence and criminality--and how rampant overclassification makes it impossible to protect truly vital information. What results is an astonishing study of power: of the greed it enables, of the negligence it protects, and of what we lose as citizens when our leaders cannot be held to account. A crucial examination of the self-defeating nature of secrecy and the dire state of our nation's archives, The Declassification Engine is a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving the past so that we may secure our future.
2nd Hand Joe
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§ ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Red Heroine
Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Daffy Girl
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Dez North
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere.
Roller Turtle
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨ From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
QuantumQuill
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π«
Mad Jack
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Electric Saturn
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience!
Shimmy Shammy
The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge.
Electric Player
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³ Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer.
Rando Tank
I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. 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.
Mrs. Voltage
With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though. 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.
Sky
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly.
Flash Protein
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Tabasco Dracula
ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. π§ An audiobook treasure trove in the palm of my hand β this app is pure convenience! ππ ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
Silver Rose
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
Abyss Tamer
Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Burst Nibbler
Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Ladybird
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey.
Mental Prophet
Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
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