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.
Alias Stick
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight.
Tomcat
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations β it's like the app knows me! This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. π‘ This app has made my daily schedule more interesting β 'reading' on the go! π±πΆββοΈ A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Ember Master
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. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
Genghis Glyph
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable.
Shy Warrior
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed.
Atomic Blastoid
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Despair
Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
X-Dew
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
Kazmii
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone!
Noisy Girl
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Parallax Sugar
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Gingersnap Woman
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze.
Cereal Killer
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Doll Champagne
CUE playlist support is a fantastic organizational feature. It keeps my audiobooks neatly arranged. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Crossing Guard
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
B@d B0y
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Vixen
Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. I'm blown away by the powerful audio downloading options. So versatile! I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly.
Steel Solstice
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice!
GuTzd
βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive.
Bae
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces.
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