Book description
America's first great organized-crime lord was a lady--a nice Jewish mother named Mrs. Mandelbaum. "A tour de force . . . With a pickpocket's finesse, Margalit Fox lures us into the criminal underworld of Gilded Age New York."--Liza Mundy, author of The SisterhoodIn 1850, an impoverished twenty-five-year-old named Fredericka Mandelbaum came to New York in steerage and worked as a peddler on the streets of Lower Manhattan. By the 1870s she was a fixture of high society and an admired philanthropist. How was she able to ascend from tenement poverty to vast wealth? In the intervening years, "Marm" Mandelbaum had become the country's most notorious "fence"--a receiver of stolen goods--and a criminal mastermind. By the mid-1880s as much as $10 million worth of purloined luxury goods (nearly $300 million today) had passed through her Lower East Side shop. Called "the nucleus and center of the whole organization of crime," she planned robberies of cash, gold and diamonds throughout the country. But Mrs. Mandelbaum wasn't just a successful crook: She was a business visionary--one of the first entrepreneurs in America to systemize the scattershot enterprise of property crime. Handpicking a cadre of the finest bank robbers, housebreakers and shoplifters, she handled logistics and organized supply chains--turning theft into a viable, scalable business. The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum paints a vivid portrait of Gilded Age New York--a city teeming with nefarious rogues, capitalist power brokers and Tammany Hall bigwigs, all straddling the line between underworld enterprise and "legitimate" commerce. Combining deep historical research with the narrative flair for which she is celebrated, Margalit Fox tells the unforgettable true story of a once-famous heroine whose life exemplifies America's cherished rags-to-riches narrative while simultaneously upending it entirely.
About the Author
Margalit Fox originally trained as a cellist and a linguist before pursuing journalism. As a senior writer in The New York Times's Obituary News Department, she wrote the front-page public sendoffs of some of the leading cultural figures of our age. Winner of the William Saroyan Prize for Literature and author of four previous nonfiction books, The Confidence Men, Conan Doyle for the Defense, The Riddle of the Labyrinth and Talking Hands, Fox lives in Manhattan with her husband.
InsightfulInk
💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖 Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
FireBrang
This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Pink Nightmare
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. 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!
LerveDr
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect.
Fresh Peper
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
CyberScribe
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control.
Divine Bramble
I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature! The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
New Cycle
The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures.
Queen Ginger
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Jelly Momentum
This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves!
Hitch Frenzy
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures.
The Final Judgement
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖 Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Beetle King
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! 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.
Spoiler Betty
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature.
Short Firecracker
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Killer Grenade
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Handsome
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. 🎧 My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. 📚🍳 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Killer Grenade
With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. 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!
Treasure Devil
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is remarkable. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Find It Girl
This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. ⭐️ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! 🧹🏰 ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
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