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.
Cooger
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Guncap Slingbad
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket.
Cupid Dust
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Alpha
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Innocent Ghost
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. 🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼
Alley Frog
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
Bowler
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Drop Stone
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. 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.
ThermalMode
Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏 The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Chapstick
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. 👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Hella Fella
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Osprey
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Dora the Destroyer
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience – it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends.
Cross Thread
With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Dark Burn
This app's library is a treasure trove – I'm always discovering new favorites. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Esquire
ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Spoiler
🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Sprinkle Lovenuts
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing.
Purity Catnip
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. 🏡 Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house – it's like having a helper! 🏠📚
Esquire
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. 🎉 Unlocking the door to imagination – this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. 📚🔑 I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app 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!
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