Book description
A 2020 New York Times notable book One of the Chicago Tribune's best nonfiction books of 2020Complex, turbulent, as haunting as a pedal steel solo --Jonathan Miles, The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice) One of 21 books we can't wait to read in 2020 --Thrillist A New York Times Book Review summer reading pick A GQ best book of 2020 Named one of the 10 best July books by The Washington Post and The Christian Science Monitor A Kirkus Reviews hottest summer read A Publishers Weekly summer reads staff pickThe incredible true story of America's original--and forgotten--capital of viceBack in the days before Vegas was big, when the Mob was at its peak and neon lights were but a glimmer on the horizon, a little Southern town styled itself as a premier destination for the American leisure class. Hot Springs, Arkansas was home to healing waters, Art Deco splendor, and America's original national park--as well as horse racing, nearly a dozen illegal casinos, countless backrooms and brothels, and some of the country's most bald-faced criminals. Gangsters, gamblers, and gamines: all once flocked to America's forgotten capital of vice, a place where small-town hustlers and bigtime high-rollers could make their fortunes, and hide from the law. The Vapors is the extraordinary story of three individuals--spanning the golden decades of Hot Springs, from the 1930s through the 1960s--and the lavish casino whose spectacular rise and fall would bring them together before blowing them apart. Hazel Hill was still a young girl when legendary mobster Owney Madden rolled into town in his convertible, fresh off a crime spree in New York. He quickly established himself as the gentleman Godfather of Hot Springs, cutting barroom deals and buying stakes in the clubs at which Hazel made her living--and drank away her sorrows. Owney's protégé was Dane Harris, the son of a Cherokee bootlegger who rose through the town's ranks to become Boss Gambler. It was his idea to build The Vapors, a pleasure palace more spectacular than any the town had ever seen, and an establishment to rival anything on the Vegas Strip or Broadway in sophistication and supercharged glamour. In this riveting work of forgotten history, native Arkansan David Hill plots the trajectory of everything from organized crime to America's fraught racial past, examining how a town synonymous with white gangsters supported a burgeoning black middle class. He reveals how the louche underbelly of the South was also home to veterans hospitals and baseball's spring training grounds, giving rise to everyone from Babe Ruth to President Bill Clinton. Infused with the sights and sounds of America's entertainment heyday--jazz orchestras and auctioneers, slot machines and suited comedians--The Vapors is an arresting glimpse into a bygone era of American vice.
Hemlock
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
Murmur
As a language learner, this app has been invaluable in improving my listening skills. The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
EchoExplorer
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Hemlock
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate – it's like they know my taste perfectly! 🚗📚 Turn traffic into a literary escape – this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. 🚗🎧
Universe Bullet
📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Lightweight
I'm hooked on this app – it's like Netflix for book lovers! I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. 📱📖 ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Napoleonic Haze
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! 📖📱 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling.
Goatee Shield
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained.
D-Hog-Day
This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Silver Rose
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience.
Mr. 44
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. 🎉 My audiobook haven – this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! 📚🔑
FRMhndshk
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Skirble
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly.
Toy Town
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Firecracker
Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. 🎉🎧 Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience.
Cowboy Booter
🧘♀️☕ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories – the ultimate way to unwind! 🍵📖 Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚 The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
True Sweetness
Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
Journeyman
🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Darkside Orbit
The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Shay
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive – smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
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