Book description
The #1 New York Times bestselling 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 - a simmering crisis that finally tore a deeply divided nation in two. 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. Review"Larson, one of today's pre-eminent nonfiction storytellers, trawls a variety of archives to explore the historically momentous months between Abraham Lincoln's election and the Battle of Fort Sumter."-The New York Times "Perhaps no other historian has ever rendered the struggle for Sumter in such authoritative detail as Larson does here. . . . Few historians, too, have done a better job of untangling the web of intrigues and counter-intrigues that helped provoke the eventual attack and surrender."-The Washington Post "A feast of historical insight and narrative verve . . . Larson's great gift is his uncanny ability to spin a chronological story whose ending we already know-secession, rebellion, victory, emancipation and assassination-yet keep the narrative as crisp and suspenseful as an Anthony Horowitz suspense novel. . . . This is Erik Larson at his best, enlivening even a thrice-told tale into an irresistible thriller."-The Wall Street JournalAbout the AuthorErik 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.
NightWonka
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Clang Glyph
Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening.
Infinite Hole
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Morbid Angel
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖 💪 Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier – this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. 💼📖
Shadow Bishop
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
SpellTansy
🎉 My audiobook haven – this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! 📚🔑 Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Fuzzy Rainbow
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Lucky Aurora
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Emerald Goddess
This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. 🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Ex0tic
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move.
Ice
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. 💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise.
LuminaLore
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Mad Viral
🚶♀️🎧 Walking and listening has never been this smooth – this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. 🏞️📖 ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Milan Call Back
Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Judge
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
HedgeH0g2
I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged.
Peanut Butter Woman
This audiobook app is a true gem – it brings stories to life with every click. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
K-9
I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Freesia
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Shwatson
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning.
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