Book description
An Instant New York Times BestsellerFrom the pages of Vanity Fair to the red carpets of Hollywood, editor Graydon Carter’s memoir revives the glamorous heyday of print magazines when they were at the vanguard of American cultureWhen Graydon Carter was offered the editorship of Vanity Fair in 1992, he knew he faced an uphill battle—how to make the esteemed and long-established magazine his own. Not only was he confronted with a staff that he perceived to be loyal to the previous regime, but he arrived only a few years after launching Spy magazine, which gloried in skewering the celebrated and powerful—the very people Vanity Fair venerated. With curiosity, fearlessness, and a love of recent history and glamour that would come to define his storied career in magazines, Carter succeeded in endearing himself to his editors, contributors, and readers, as well as as well as those who would grace the pages of Vanity Fair. He went on to run the magazine with overwhelming success for the next two and a half decades.Filled with colorful memories and intimate details, When the Going Was Good is Graydon Carter’s lively recounting of how he made his mark as one of the most talented editors in the business. Moving to New York from Canada, he worked at Time, Life, The New York Observer, and Spy, before catching the eye of Condé Nast chairman Si Newhouse, who pulled him in to run Vanity Fair. In Newhouse he found an unwavering champion, a loyal proprietor who gave Carter the editorial and financial freedom to thrive. Annie Leibovitz’s photographs would come to define the look of the magazine, as would the “New Establishment” and annual Hollywood issues. Carter further planted a flag in Los Angeles with the legendary Vanity Fair Oscar party.With his inimitable voice and signature quip, he brings readers to lunches and dinners with the great and good of America, Britain, and Europe. He assembled one of the most formidable stables of writers and photographers under one roof, and here he re-creates in real time the steps he took to ensure Vanity Fair cemented its place as the epicenter of art, culture, business, and politics, even as digital media took hold. Charming, candid, and brimming with stories, When the Going Was Good perfectly captures the last golden age of print magazines from the inside out.
About the Author
Graydon Carter is the founder of Air Mail. Before this, he was a staff writer for both Time and Life. He cocreated Spy, edited The New York Observer, and for twenty-five years was the award-winning editor of Vanity Fair. He is also the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer of more than a dozen documentaries and one hit Broadway play. He and his wife live in Greenwich Village, not far from the Waverly Inn, and have five children.
Knock Out Star
With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Lucifurious
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! 📖📱 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!
Romance Guppy
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
InfinityInsight
With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier – this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. 📱🎧 Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Elder Pogue
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures.
Sky
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Lskeee
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. 🌟 Say goodbye to boredom during long drives – this app makes road trips fly by! 🚗🎉 Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧 Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator.
Dr. WMD
This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Chapstick
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
DriftDetector
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal – unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Knock Out Star
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Zesty Dragon
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Girl Brownie
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Black Firefly
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. 🎧 Audiobooks anywhere, anytime – this app's convenience is unbeatable! 🌟📚 Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces – this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. 📱🔊 A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Bat Magenta
I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used.
Willow Dragon
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is commendable. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
Gro
ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
New York Mood
🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true triumph. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it!
Cross Thread
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. 🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠
Doll Champagne
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
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