Book description
A sharply crafted and unflinchingly honest memoir about gangs, drugs, cooking, and living life on the line--both on the streets and in the kitchen--from one of the most exciting stars in the food world today "As compelling or more so than Boyz N the Hood and Menace II Society . . . When Corbin writes about his life, it burns with the intensity of the best pulp fiction, but it isn't fiction--it's the life he lived."--Los Angeles Times ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Salon Chef Keith Corbin has been cooking his entire life. Born on the home turf of the notorious Grape Street Crips in 1980s Watts, Los Angeles, he got his start cooking crack at age thirteen, becoming so skilled that he was flown across the country to cook for drug operations in other cities. After his criminal enterprises caught up with him, though, Corbin spent years in California's most notorious maximum security prisons--witnessing the resourcefulness of other inmates who made kimchi out of leftover vegetables and tamales from ground-up Fritos. He developed his own culinary palate and ingenuity, creating "spreads" out of the unbearable commissary ingredients and experimenting during his shifts in the prison kitchen. After his release, Corbin got a job managing the kitchen at LocoL, an ambitious fast food restaurant spearheaded by celebrity chefs Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson, designed to bring inexpensive, quality food and good jobs into underserved neighborhoods. But when Corbin was suddenly thrust into the spotlight, he struggled to live up to or accept the simplified "gangbanger redemption" portrayal of him in the media. As he battles private demons while achieving public success, Corbin traces the origins of his vision for "California soul food" and takes readers inside the worlds of gang hierarchy, drug dealing, prison politics, gentrification, and culinary achievement to tell the story of how he became head chef of Alta Adams, one of America's best restaurants.
Microwave Chardonnay
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³
Toe
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience.
180
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win.
Bad Beh8vior
ποΈπ§ Packing for vacation just got better β this app is my getaway entertainment! π΄π Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Blister
π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨ ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Hairpin
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Kitchen
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Armed Hawk
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§ The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Keystone
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
Roller Girl
No more fighting over the radio during family trips β we're all hooked on audiobooks now. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. I love the statistics feature. Itβs fun to see how much Iβve listened.
Hemlock
Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Twister Hero
The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
Mental
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ
Killer Grenade
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience.
CuriousCrafter
This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Sweet Manhattan
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
Commando
I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Cali Yacht
I've found my new favorite way to relax β cuddled up with an audiobook. π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion.
Toy Dogwatch
No more hassle with formats β this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Microwave Chardonnay
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
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