Book description
The authoritative exposΓ© 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.
Gabriel Dandelion
I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is a true winner. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Fl00d
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
ThoughtTrail
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Jungle King
Savoring stories has never been this smooth β this app's functionality is genius. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Guncap Slingbad
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic β what a win! ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Iron Jesus
πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§ Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Wild Kitten
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Troubadour
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery β a win-win! I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
LunaStar
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Mindless Bobcat
ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer.
Drop Stone
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
Dove Dolce
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers.
Phoenix Tetra
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. 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
Bad Beret
The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. 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!
Nessie
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind.
Sir Squire
π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. 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.
Broomspun
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
AxelRoad
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight.
Hoover Spark
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts.
Sherm
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
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