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.
Casanova
The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks.
Mallow Man
I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. Simplifying my reading routine – this app's ease of use is remarkable. I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Keystone
This app is a true gift for book lovers – it's like having a personal library wherever I go. ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Bliss
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Light Despair
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖 ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion.
CuriousCoder
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout.
Dark Matter
Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice! I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Darkside Orbit
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. 📱📖
Armed Hawk
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity.
Runway Darling
Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Blistered Outlaw
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Mr. Wholesome
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. ⏰ Maximizing my time with efficient features – this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. 📚⏳ I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Boost
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Fuzzy Rainbow
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. 🌌🎧 ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Trash
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. Audiobooks on demand – this app's functionality is a true technological gem.
West Warrior
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧
Gro
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Undergrad Split
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Gunhawk
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Killer Merlot
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. 🎉 The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. 📱🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
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