Book description
A spellbinding work of history that reads like a Cold War spy thriller--about the U.S.-sanctioned plot to assassinate the democratically elected leader of the newly independent Congo "This is one of the best books I have read in years . . . gripping, full of colorful characters, and strange plot twists." --Fareed Zakaria, CNN host It was supposed to be a moment of great optimism, a cause for jubilation. The Congo was at last being set free from Belgium--one of seventeen countries to gain independence in 1960 from ruling European powers. At the helm as prime minister was charismatic nationalist Patrice Lumumba. Just days after the handover, however, the Congo's new army mutinied, Belgian forces intervened, and Lumumba turned to the United Nations for help in saving his newborn nation from what the press was already calling "the Congo crisis." Dag Hammarskjöld, the tidy Swede serving as UN secretary-general, quickly arranged the organization's biggest peacekeeping mission in history. But chaos was still spreading. Frustrated with the fecklessness of the UN and spurned by the United States, Lumumba then approached the Soviets for help--an appeal that set off alarm bells at the CIA. To forestall the spread of Communism in Africa, the CIA sent word to its station chief in the Congo, Larry Devlin: Lumumba had to go. Within a year, everything would unravel. The CIA plot to murder Lumumba would fizzle out, but he would be deposed in a CIA-backed coup, transferred to enemy territory in a CIA-approved operation, and shot dead by Congolese assassins. Hammarskjöld, too, would die, in a mysterious plane crash en route to negotiate a cease-fire with the Congo's rebellious southeast. And a young, ambitious military officer named Joseph Mobutu, who had once sworn fealty to Lumumba, would seize power with U.S. help and misrule the country for more than three decades. For the Congolese people, the events of 1960-61 represented the opening chapter of a long horror story. For the U.S. government, however, they provided a playbook for future interventions.
Little Cobra
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
Lady In Red
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by! This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚
FearLeSS
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
BuzzMouse
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience.
Freeway
💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Shay
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length – I'm in! Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars! Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Crash Enforcer
No more converting files – this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives.
Iron Butterfly
With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
S’more Vixen
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. 🌟 Embracing reading in the busiest of times – this app is my everyday escape! 📚🏃♀️ ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Congo Wire
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Roller Turtle
🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
Celtic Charger
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 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!
Irish Dze
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Grotas
⏰ Maximizing my time with efficient features – this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. 📚⏳ Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch.
Lord Pistachio
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! 🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖
Miss Nova
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
NecroBull
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. Finally, an app that values usability – navigating and listening is a breeze!
ThickSKN
This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 User-friendly audiobook experience – this app's design is a standout. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options.
Flint
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱 ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Jester
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
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