Book description
‘A darkly entertaining tale about American espionage, set in an era when Washington’s fear and skepticism about the agency resembles our climate today.’—New York TimesAt the end of World War II, the United States dominated the world militarily, economically, and in moral standing—seen as the victor over tyranny and a champion of freedom. But it was clear—to some—that the Soviet Union was already executing a plan to expand and foment revolution around the world. The American government’s strategy in response relied on the secret efforts of a newly-formed CIA. The Quiet Americans chronicles the exploits of four spies—Michael Burke, a charming former football star fallen on hard times, Frank Wisner, the scion of a wealthy Southern family, Peter Sichel, a sophisticated German Jew who escaped the Nazis, and Edward Lansdale, a brilliant ad executive. The four ran covert operations across the globe, trying to outwit the ruthless KGB in Berlin, parachuting commandos into Eastern Europe, plotting coups, and directing wars against Communist insurgents in Asia. But time and again their efforts went awry, thwarted by a combination of stupidity and ideological rigidity at the highest levels of the government—and more profoundly, the decision to abandon American ideals. By the mid-1950s, the Soviet Union had a stranglehold on Eastern Europe, the US had begun its disastrous intervention in Vietnam, and America, the beacon of democracy, was overthrowing democratically elected governments and earning the hatred of much of the world. All of this culminated in an act of betrayal and cowardice that would lock the Cold War into place for decades to come.Anderson brings to the telling of this story all the narrative brio, deep research, sceptical eye, and lively prose that made Lawrence in Arabia a major international bestseller. The intertwined lives of these men began in a common purpose of defending freedom, but the ravages of the Cold War led them to different fates. Two would quit the CIA in despair, stricken by the moral compromises they had to make; one became the archetype of the duplicitous and destructive American spy; and one would be so heartbroken he would take his own life.Scott Anderson’s The Quiet Americans is the story of these four men. It is also the story of how the United States, at the very pinnacle of its power, managed to permanently damage its moral standing in the world.
Scrapper
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream.
Pixie Taze
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is remarkable.
ManBreaker
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats.
Hyper
I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. 💪 Doubling the impact of my workouts – exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! 💪🎧
Dream Killer
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖 Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience.
Kamikaze Grandma
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
Flyswat Briggs
ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Knight Light
💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Roma Kabuki
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
ByteBard
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom!
Bearded Angler
Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition! The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Fire Sass
🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
Doll Champagne
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way.
Heavenly Connection
Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata.
ThickSKN
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts.
Good-lookin’
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? 🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive.
Star Killer
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Flint Cast-Iron
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Sugar Apple
ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
WittyWordsmith
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature!
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