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.
The Flying Mouse
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection.
Twix Bond
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Zorkle Sporkle
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Prometheus
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly.
Mafia Rapunzel
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Fuzzy Logic Hottie
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Widow Curio
Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Lightweight
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Sweet Bacon
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Sandbox
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Duchess
This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Berlin Kamikaze
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
Find It Girl
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous.
Toy Dogwatch
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Call Back Queen
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable.
Dance Bloom
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
DreamWeaver
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Devil Blade
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is remarkable. The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Skirble
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls – it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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! This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Mafia Princess
Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
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