Book description
The authoritative exposรฉ 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.
Elder Pogue
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
Cabbie
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. ๐ถ๐ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. ๐ง๐ถ
Bazooka Har-de-har
This app has reignited my passion for literature โ I'm devouring books like never before. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ๐๐ ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Steel Solstice
๐ถ๐ Replacing tunes with stories โ my house is alive with the sound of narration! ๐ง๐ ๐ Simplifying my reading routine โ this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. ๐โจ Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnโt stop listening.
Ice
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless.
Drop Stone
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read โ this app is always ready.
Jo Jo Spooky
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donโt have the time.
Crazy Rox
Audiobook pleasure simplified โ this app's functionality is a reader's delight. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
RZRWRE
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Morbid Sugar
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio โ from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. Audiobook joy made simple โ this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
Eye Candy Kitten
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. ๐ฑ๐ Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Lord Theus
๐ถ๐ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies โ my ears are in love! ๐ต๐ ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. 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!
Slow Trot
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights โ I'm never without a good story. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureโitโs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Senior Smurf
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars! As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Eye Candy Kitten
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits โ truly impressive. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things. 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!
Firedog
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly.
Wild Kitten
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Flyswat Briggs
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality โ a journey into captivating worlds. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient. The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Kimono Goddess
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ๐๐ฑ Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend! A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
K-9
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly โ it's a game-changer. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience.
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