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.
Kamikaze Grandma
I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
FireBrang
Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Feline Devil
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Stacker of Wheat
This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Kickstart
💡 This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts – it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. 📚🎧 Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
Sky
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Jack Cassidy
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Metal Star
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
DreamDiver
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Spitfire
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable.
The Final Judgement
Savoring audiobooks without fuss – this app's design is impressive. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
CommandX
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. 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!
Juno Cream
This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. 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.
General Broomdog
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Shadow Gal
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Trouble Mittens
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Round Kick Boomer
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Backstreet
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze.
Instant Star
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Mud Eye
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. 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. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
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