Book description
A major revision of our understanding of JFK's commitment to Vietnam, revealing that his administration's plan to withdraw was a political device, the effect of which was to manage public opinion while preserving US military assistance. In October 1963, the White House publicly proposed the removal of US troops from Vietnam, earning President Kennedy an enduring reputation as a skeptic on the war. In fact, Kennedy was ambivalent about withdrawal and was largely detached from its planning. Drawing on secret presidential tapes, Marc J. Selverstone reveals that the withdrawal statement gave Kennedy political cover, allowing him to sustain support for US military assistance. Its details were the handiwork of Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, whose ownership of the plan distanced it from the president. Selverstone's use of the presidential tapes, alongside declassified documents, memoirs, and oral histories, lifts the veil on this legend of Camelot. Withdrawal planning was never just about Vietnam as it evolved over the course of fifteen months. For McNamara, it injected greater discipline into the US assistance program. For others, it was a form of leverage over South Vietnam. For the military, it was largely an unwelcome exercise. And for JFK, it allowed him to preserve the US commitment while ostensibly limiting it. The Kennedy Withdrawal offers an inside look at presidential decisionmaking in this liminal period of the Vietnam War and makes clear that portrayals of Kennedy as a dove are overdrawn. His proposed withdrawal was in fact a cagey strategy for keeping the United States involved in the fight--a strategy the country adopted decades later in Afghanistan.
Shimmy Shammy
ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient. 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.
Pepper Mouse
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Star Jammer
This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π
Blinker
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Swedish Pixie
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface β it's a true delight. πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Lord Nikon
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Skylark
Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Whip 2T
I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls β it's a joy to navigate. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ
Pigeon Woman
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Good-lookinβ
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
ThreadTraveler
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. 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§ Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Scrapple
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Intimidating Presence
π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Frosty Snazz
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze.
Demo
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. 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
Cricket
ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Duchess
With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ
Swerve
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
White Snare
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores β this app is a lifesaver! Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Truth
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
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