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.
RZR
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze.
Texas Butterfly
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ
Kabuki
Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream!
Speedwell
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
FireBrang
I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience.
Fast Draw
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story.
Lady Killer
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. ππ§
Blizzard Vixen
Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Star Jammer
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
High Heel Goddess
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control.
Red Heroine
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Popeye Wipeout
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Sly Bible
I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Sugar Apple
ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively.
Honey
Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Scooby Did
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
Hidden Tree
Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends.
Hex Panther
The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
Red Delicious
ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Saturnalia
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. I'm addicted to this app β it's like having a library in my pocket. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
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