Book description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The author of The Splendid and the Vile brings to life the pivotal five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War in this "riveting reexamination of a nation in tumult" (Los Angeles Times). "A feast of historical insight and narrative verve . . . This is Erik Larson at his best, enlivening even a thrice-told tale into an irresistible thriller."--The Wall Street Journal On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln became the fluky victor in a tight race for president. The country was bitterly at odds; Southern extremists were moving ever closer to destroying the Union, with one state after another seceding and Lincoln powerless to stop them. Slavery fueled the conflict, but somehow the passions of North and South came to focus on a lonely federal fortress in Charleston Harbor: Fort Sumter. Master storyteller Erik Larson offers a gripping account of the chaotic months between Lincoln's election and the Confederacy's shelling of Sumter--a period marked by tragic errors and miscommunications, enflamed egos and craven ambitions, personal tragedies and betrayals. Lincoln himself wrote that the trials of these five months were "so great that, could I have anticipated them, I would not have believed it possible to survive them." At the heart of this suspense-filled narrative are Major Robert Anderson, Sumter's commander and a former slave owner sympathetic to the South but loyal to the Union; Edmund Ruffin, a vain and bloodthirsty radical who stirs secessionist ardor at every opportunity; and Mary Boykin Chesnut, wife of a prominent planter, conflicted over both marriage and slavery and seeing parallels between them. In the middle of it all is the overwhelmed Lincoln, battling with his duplicitous secretary of state, William Seward, as he tries desperately to avert a war that he fears is inevitable--one that will eventually kill 750,000 Americans. Drawing on diaries, secret communiques, slave ledgers, and plantation records, Larson gives us a political horror story that captures the forces that led America to the brink--a dark reminder that we often don't see a cataclysm coming until it's too late.
About the Author
Erik Larson is the author of six previous national bestsellers--The Splendid and the Vile, Dead Wake, In the Garden of Beasts, Thunderstruck, The Devil in the White City, and Isaac's Storm--which have collectively sold more than ten million copies. His books have been published in nearly twenty countries.
WittyWordsmith
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings.
Apex
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true β from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
Stud Buster
Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Barbwire
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
Switch
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy!
DeathDancer
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. 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§ Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ±
Duchess
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Hightower
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature!
Greek Rifle
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π
Noh Noh
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ 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! π±π The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
Overrun
ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Mad Robin
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Breadmaker
Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
NeoGermal
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Sick Saurus
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
Easy Street
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver!
HolyCombo
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. ποΈ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level β audiobooks make it an adventure! ππ Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Cougar Fuzz
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. 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!
THRESHmSTR
ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Trash Pocky
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go β kudos to this app's functionality. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward β thank you, app! Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds β this app's functionality is genius. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
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