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.
Pecan Oblivion
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. π±π The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Grinch Cheese
π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer! Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
LifeRobber
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening. 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!
Lady Katniss
π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Doughboy, Esq
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Chapstick
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
Tan Stallion
Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Fast Draw
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great!
Kickstart
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
Cowboy Booter
π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Darling Peacock
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Con Mammoth
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
Berlin Kamikaze
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Innocent Ghost
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Miss Murder
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
SmartieQuest
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Hermopolis
This app has reignited my passion for literature β I'm devouring books like never before. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls.
Video Game Heroine
π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ππ§ ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Red Delicious
π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
NexusNinja
This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
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