Book description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Big Oil and Gas Versus Democracy--Winner Take All "A rollickingly well-written book, filled with fascinating, exciting, and alarming stories about the impact of the oil and gas industry on the world today."--The New York Times Book Review In 2010, the words "earthquake swarm" entered the lexicon in Oklahoma. That same year, a trove of Michael Jackson memorabilia--including his iconic crystal-encrusted white glove--was sold at auction for over $1 million to a guy who was, officially, just the lowly forestry minister of the tiny nation of Equatorial Guinea. And in 2014, revolutionaries in Ukraine raided the palace of their ousted president and found a zoo of peacocks, gilded toilets, and a floating restaurant modeled after a Spanish galleon. Unlikely as it might seem, there is a thread connecting these events, and Rachel Maddow follows it to its crooked source: the unimaginably lucrative and equally corrupting oil and gas industry. With her trademark black humor, Maddow takes us on a switchback journey around the globe, revealing the greed and incompetence of Big Oil and Gas along the way, and drawing a surprising conclusion about why the Russian government hacked the 2016 U.S. election. She deftly shows how Russia's rich reserves of crude have, paradoxically, stunted its growth, forcing Vladimir Putin to maintain his power by spreading Russia's rot into its rivals, its neighbors, the West's most important alliances, and the United States. Chevron, BP, and a host of other industry players get their star turn, most notably ExxonMobil and the deceptively well-behaved Rex Tillerson. The oil and gas industry has weakened democracies in developed and developing countries, fouled oceans and rivers, and propped up authoritarian thieves and killers. But being outraged at it is, according to Maddow, "like being indignant when a lion takes down and eats a gazelle. You can't really blame the lion. It's in her nature." Blowout is a call to contain the lion: to stop subsidizing the wealthiest businesses on earth, to fight for transparency, and to check the influence of the world's most destructive industry and its enablers. The stakes have never been higher. As Maddow writes, "Democracy either wins this one or disappears."
Chocolate Thunder
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever.
Flotsams54
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
Fadey
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks!
Troubled Pie
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
All Natural
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ
Snow Cream
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Hermopolis
Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Lord Nikon
Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
ChatterChampion
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a winner. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically.
White Dragon
ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Bit Sentinel
πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Cujo
Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. ππ§ ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
Father Abbot
ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app.
Kevlar Wanted
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is truly commendable. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
LocKz
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. πΆββοΈπ Staying entertained during leisurely walks β audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! πΆββοΈπ§ π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ πΆββοΈπ± I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. ποΈπ The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions.
Napoleonic Haze
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. Iβm 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!
Sβmore Vixen
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
DreamDasher
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
Pink Nightmare
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
ShadowDancer
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
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