Book description
The authoritative exposé of private equity: what it is, how it kills businesses and jobs, how the government helps, and how we stop it Private equity surrounds us. Firms like Blackstone, Carlyle, and KKR are among the largest employers in America and hold assets that rival those of small countries. Yet few understand what these firms are or how they work. In Plunder, Brendan Ballou explains how private equity has reshaped American business by raising prices, reducing quality, cutting jobs, and shifting resources from productive to unproductive parts of the economy. Ballou vividly illustrates how many private equity firms buy up retailers, medical practices, prison services, nursing-home chains, and mobile-home parks, among other businesses, using little of their own money to do it and avoiding debt and liability for their actions. Forced to take on huge debts and pay extractive fees, companies purchased by private equity firms are often left bankrupt, or shells of their former selves, with consequences to communities that long depended on them. Perhaps most startling is Ballou's insight into how this is happening with the active support of various arms of the government. But, as Ballou reveals in an agenda for reigning in the industry, private equity can be stopped from wreaking further havoc.
High Woo
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences.
3P-own
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles.
M8deUp
This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy.
Crash Test
I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Prone
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖
Troublemasher
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. 💼 Making work hours fly by with captivating stories – a true work-life balance! 💻📖 The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Don Stab
ListenBook's variety of ways to download audio makes it incredibly convenient. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Dance Bloom
Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before.
NightDream
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Seattle Jay
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
NightDream
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Shamrock
ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Lil Rebel Ma
Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly.
Genghis Glyph
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
Jack Cassidy
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. 🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧 Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. 📚✨ My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Spitfire
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Trixie Doodle
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. 📱 My pocket-sized library – this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! 📚📱
CloudFrenzy
Audiobook enjoyment redefined – this app's design focuses on the essentials. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. I’ve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Berlin Kamikaze
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips.
Energy
🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze.
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