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.
Mother Hen
Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊 The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great!
FLAK Angel
This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. 🚗📖 On-the-go listening has never been smoother – this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. 🚗📚 ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
StormCake
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story!
WittyWordsmith
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. Effortlessly immersing in stories – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience.
Steel Solstice
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats – this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. 🎉🔊 Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
ButterQuest
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. 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.
Arsenic Coo
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
DollFaceKillah
Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! 📱🔊 Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Microwave
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks – it's truly invigorating. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. 🎙️ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! 🚶♀️📖
Pitfall Whiskers
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. 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.
ThoughtTracer
🌟 Say goodbye to boredom during long drives – this app makes road trips fly by! 🚗🎉 🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧 Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Liquid Death
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around.
Indestructible Potato
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers!
Alpha
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
RedFisher
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Nueva Nova
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant source of books. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. 🌟🎧 The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Skittle Mine
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Saturn Extreme
This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Viceswerve
💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear. 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!
Bit Sentinel
Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
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