Book description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The author of The Devil in the White City and Dead Wake delivers an intimate chronicle of Winston Churchill and London during the Blitz--an inspiring portrait of courage and leadership in a time of unprecedented crisis "One of [Erik Larson's] best books yet . . . perfectly timed for the moment."--Time - "A bravura performance by one of America's greatest storytellers."--NPR NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review - Time - Vogue - NPR - The Washington Post - Chicago Tribune - The Globe & Mail - Fortune - Bloomberg - New York Post - The New York Public Library - Kirkus Reviews - LibraryReads - PopMatters On Winston Churchill's first day as prime minister, Adolf Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium. Poland and Czechoslovakia had already fallen, and the Dunkirk evacuation was just two weeks away. For the next twelve months, Hitler would wage a relentless bombing campaign, killing 45,000 Britons. It was up to Churchill to hold his country together and persuade President Franklin Roosevelt that Britain was a worthy ally--and willing to fight to the end. In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson shows, in cinematic detail, how Churchill taught the British people "the art of being fearless." It is a story of political brinkmanship, but it's also an intimate domestic drama, set against the backdrop of Churchill's prime-ministerial country home, Chequers; his wartime retreat, Ditchley, where he and his entourage go when the moon is brightest and the bombing threat is highest; and of course 10 Downing Street in London. Drawing on diaries, original archival documents, and once-secret intelligence reports--some released only recently--Larson provides a new lens on London's darkest year through the day-to-day experience of Churchill and his family: his wife, Clementine; their youngest daughter, Mary, who chafes against her parents' wartime protectiveness; their son, Randolph, and his beautiful, unhappy wife, Pamela; Pamela's illicit lover, a dashing American emissary; and the advisers in Churchill's "Secret Circle," to whom he turns in the hardest moments. The Splendid and the Vile takes readers out of today's political dysfunction and back to a time of true leadership, when, in the face of unrelenting horror, Churchill's eloquence, courage, and perseverance bound a country, and a family, together.
Lord Pistachio
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift.
Morbid Sugar
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
Mosquit-No
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening.
Snow Cream
πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! πββοΈπ ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly.
Washer
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Lady Killer
π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail.
Mad Viral
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
Eerie Mizzen
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically.
Zero Corn
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Judge
This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life β it's incredible. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Sneaky Lady
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. πΌ Enhancing work-from-home productivity β audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. π»π The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance!
Hoboken Nightingale
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful.
Eye Devil
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive.
MuseMaster
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes!
EchoEnigma
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app.
SunnySnap
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers.
K-Tin Man
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth.
Cricket
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly.
DreamDiver
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience.
Eerie
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features.
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