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 JournalA PARADE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAROn 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.
Most Wanted
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover.
Speedwell
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Brick Mooch
Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
M8deUp
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Marbles
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Dropkick
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Coffee
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Count Eagle
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Rosie Bird
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Rusty Vortex
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Bazooka Har-de-har
ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Runway Darling
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Beo
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3D Waffle
ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time.
Hella Fella
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze.
High-Fructose
This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. 🎙️ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! 🚶♀️📖 The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
General Broomdog
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice! The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Candy Butcher
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
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