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.
Bowie
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content.
Undergrad Split
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Bowie
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences.
Sidewalk Enforcer
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
Pearl Girl
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯
Lady Katniss
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use.
VisionVoyager
I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Bad Beh8vior
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow.
Night Magnet
This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
SunVolt
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
DreamWeaver
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Saturnalia
This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient.
DreamWeaver
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. π± My secret to staying well-read β this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! ππ± Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
Campfire Mama
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. π§ Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. ππ± ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Campfire Mama
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ Savoring audiobooks without fuss β this app's design is impressive. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
MuseMaster
With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer.
WanderWord
Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend! The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Vortex
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨
Flakes
Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
Cumulo
β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
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