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.
Reed Lady
π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Minty Devil
πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. 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! Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Pigeon Woman
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner.
DollFaceKillah
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
THRESHmSTR
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations.
Roller Girl
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§
Street Jolly
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature! ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
InsightfulInk
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Contrary Mary
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨ Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
Y0dler
The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Silver Rose
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
McDreamy
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
Chlorine
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to.
Jo Jo Spooky
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Sofa King
ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Find It Girl
Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
Tse Tse Guy
Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable. ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration.
Stud muffin
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. 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« Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Rook
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
Steel
π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯
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