Book description
A veteran journalist follows an inspiring ensemble cast of small business owners fighting to keep their businesses alive through Covid-19, while exploring the sweeping trends and government policies that had brought small businesses to the breaking point long before the coronavirus hit.There is a tendency to fetishize small business even as it shrinks before our eyes. Americans extol the virtues of small, local, often family-run shops, yet buy from big-box retailers and chains that dominate the competition. Even before the pandemic, small businesses seemed endangered. When Covid-19 hit, the resounding question was: How will they be able to survive this?Saving Main Street is an unfiltered, up-close examination of a small group of business owners and their employees, their struggles, and their strategies to survive. It is an eye-opening tale of grit, perseverance, and entrepreneurial spirit that follows three businesses: a restaurant owner and his rambunctious staff, an immigrant running her own hair salon, and the owner of a "non-life sustaining" gift shop--alongside a larger cast of vividly drawn characters. Gary Rivlin focuses on the first days of the Covid lockdown and the ensuing eighteen months of chaos, including the personal and financial risks, a contentious presidential election, and contradictory governmental guidelines--all which compounded the everyday challenges of running an independent business trying to attract and retain customers who expect low prices, convenience, and endless choice. Rivlin keenly observes small businesses from all angles, examining commonly held "myths"; contradictions in government policy; enormous racial and class fissures; a national self-identity intrinsically connected to the ideal of small business, and how the decline of this American way of retail impacts our notions of American exceptionalism, community, and civic duty.As Rivlin reveals, there's something enduring about small business in the American psyche. Life will have changed in unprecedented ways on the other side of this pandemic, yet hard times will also create opportunities, offering hope and survival.
Fuzzy Rainbow
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Free Ham
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life.
Austin Shamrock
The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. The app's performance is remarkable – it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use.
Guillotine Trigger
Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Lskeee
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Lady Q
Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Pecan Oblivion
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Dora the Destroyer
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. 🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧
Terror Master
My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
BearDrift
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Bug Fire
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available – so much to learn! With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. 📱📖 The interface is so clean and clutter-free. It’s a pleasure to use.
Digital Equinox
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable.
Devil Bread
Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
RedFeet
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. 💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖
Sky Trinity
I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
NexusNomad
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app – so handy! Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Cuff Queen
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉
360
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Chew Chew
🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
StarZen
I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
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