Book description
Winner of the Studs and Ida Terkel PrizeA groundbreaking look at how ordinary people are fighting back against their local and state governments to keep their communities safe, by an award-winning journalist Most Americans are likely to encounter the effects of government malfeasance or neglect close to home-from their governors, mayors, town councils, school boards, police, and prosecutors. In fact, deals shrouded in darkness are regularly made at the state and local levels, often the result of closed-door discussions between governments and industry without any scrutiny whatsoever from the public. Too often, as this groundbreaking new work of investigative reporting reveals, residents are intentionally kept on the outside, struggling to get information about significant issues affecting their communities-from car crashes and dirty drinking water, to failing safety gear-until the backroom deals are done and it's too late to challenge them. A work of riveting narrative nonfiction based on years of original reporting, Backroom Deals in Our Backyards tells the story of five "accidental activists"-people from across the United States who started questioning why their local and state governments didn't protect them from issues facing their communities and why there was a frightening lack of transparency surrounding the way these issues were resolved. The secret deals, lies, and corruption they uncover shake their faith in government but move them to action. For readers of Chain of Title and Superman's Not Coming, Spivack's revealing take on a hidden dimension of American politics will outrage and educate anyone who cares about the forces shaping their own communities.
Flame OUT
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. 👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring!
Parallax Sugar
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
FireBrang
The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Killer Merlot
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content – it's my new favorite app. This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning.
The Flying Mouse
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
Tornado Maker
Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs. 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.
Lady Fantastic
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Moon Orchid
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
K-9
This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Star Jammer
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app – it's like being in the story. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable.
Hog Butcher
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. 💪 Doubling the impact of my workouts – exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! 💪🎧 Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧 This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Mr. Wholesome
I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
MysticMingle
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph.
Nutmeg Riot
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. 📱 Carrying my library in my pocket – this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! 📚👜 Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. 📱🔊
Acid Gosling
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Crash Enforcer
Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 🎧 Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. 📚📱
Frenzy
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. 💼 Juggling tasks while exploring narratives – this app is my multitasking hero! 💻📖 Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
EchoExplorer
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
ReiGnZ
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Twinkle
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
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