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.
Runway Darling
Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Flame OUT
Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧 I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
Legacy
This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Taz Ringer
Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side.
Steel Heart
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. 📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟 The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Mafia Rapunzel
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Demo Tequila
ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Manly
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators – they add a unique charm to each book. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
DreamDiver
Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. 🌌🎧 ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
S’more Vixen
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Mosquit-No
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking.
Sir Shove
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need.
Murder Cherry
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch.
Alias Stick
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? 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.
Pigeon Woman
💃 Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores – a dance of productivity! 🎶📖 ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Combo Saw
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
Copilot
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
TulipCake
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Kazami of Truth
ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧 The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
CommandX
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. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
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