Book description
Now in paperback, the #1 New York Times bestselling chronicle of the rise and fall of a legendary American dynasty, from CNN anchor and journalist Anderson Cooper and historian and novelist Katherine Howe.One of the Washington Post's Notable Works of NonfictionWhen eleven-year-old Cornelius Vanderbilt began to work on his father's small boat ferrying supplies in New York Harbor at the beginning of the nineteenth century, no one could have imagined that one day he would, through ruthlessness, cunning, and a pathological desire for money, build two empires--one in shipping and another in railroads--that would make him the richest man in America. His staggering fortune was fought over by his heirs after his death in 1877, sowing familial discord that would never fully heal. Though his son Billy doubled the money left by "the Commodore," subsequent generations competed to find new and ever more extraordinary ways of spending it. By 2018, when the last Vanderbilt was forced out of The Breakers--the seventy-room summer estate in Newport, Rhode Island, that Cornelius's grandson and namesake had built--the family would have been unrecognizable to the tycoon who started it all.Now, the Commodore's great-great-great-grandson Anderson Cooper, joins with historian Katherine Howe to explore the story of his legendary family and their outsized influence. Cooper and Howe breathe life into the ancestors who built the family's empire, basked in the Commodore's wealth, hosted lavish galas, and became synonymous with unfettered American capitalism and high society. Moving from the hardscrabble wharves of old Manhattan to the lavish drawing rooms of Gilded Age Fifth Avenue, from the ornate summer palaces of Newport to the courts of Europe, and all the way to modern-day New York, Cooper and Howe wryly recount the triumphs and tragedies of an American dynasty unlike any other.Written with a unique insider's viewpoint, this is a rollicking, quintessentially American history as remarkable as the family it so vividly captures.
MicroStar
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible.
The Belgian
This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Copilot
ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ π§ Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. ππ± ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
The Dude
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§
Sweetness
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Rope
Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
Dahlia Bumble
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
High Kingdom Warrior
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. 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« The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Essex
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
Jack Cassidy
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β audiobooks make my runs more exciting! πββοΈπ§ Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Armed Hawk
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
California Goddess
This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
Uluru Walker
I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles.
Lord Pistachio
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights β I'm never without a good story. ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Kawaii Red
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
Devil Bread
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time. 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!
FireBrang
πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me!
NeoGermal
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. 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. Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps.
Eye Devil
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. 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!
Thunder Nut
π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π
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