Book description
New York Times Bestseller New York Times reporter and "Corner Office" columnist David Gelles reveals legendary GE CEO Jack Welch to be the root of all that's wrong with capitalism today and offers advice on how we might right those wrongs. In 1981, Jack Welch took over General Electric and quickly rose to fame as the first celebrity CEO. He golfed with presidents, mingled with movie stars, and was idolized for growing GE into the most valuable company in the world. But Welch's achievements didn't stem from some greater intelligence or business prowess. Rather, they were the result of a sustained effort to push GE's stock price ever higher, often at the expense of workers, consumers, and innovation. In this captivating, revelatory book, David Gelles argues that Welch single-handedly ushered in a new, cutthroat era of American capitalism that continues to this day. Gelles chronicles Welch's campaign to vaporize hundreds of thousands of jobs in a bid to boost profits, eviscerating the country's manufacturing base and destabilizing the middle class. Welch's obsession with downsizing--he eliminated 10% of employees every year--fundamentally altered GE and inspired generations of imitators who have employed his strategies at other companies around the globe. In his day, Welch was corporate America's leading proponent of mergers and acquisitions, using deals to gobble up competitors and giving rise to an economy that is more concentrated and less dynamic. And Welch pioneered the dark arts of "financialization," transforming GE from an admired industrial manufacturer into what was effectively an unregulated bank. The finance business was hugely profitable in the short term and helped Welch keep GE's stock price ticking up. But ultimately, financialization undermined GE and dozens of other Fortune 500 companies. Gelles shows how Welch's celebrated emphasis on increasing shareholder value by any means necessary (layoffs, outsourcing, offshoring, acquisitions, and buybacks, to name but a few tactics) became the norm in American business generally. He demonstrates how that approach has led to the greatest socioeconomic inequality since the Great Depression and harmed many of the very companies that have embraced it. And he shows how a generation of Welch acolytes radically transformed companies like Boeing, Home Depot, Kraft Heinz, and more. Finally, Gelles chronicles the change that is now afoot in corporate America, highlighting companies and leaders who have abandoned Welchism and are proving that it is still possible to excel in the business world without destroying livelihoods, gutting communities, and spurning regulation.
Contrary Mary
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! 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!
Leaf Assassin
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Flint Cast-Iron
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator.
Night Train
Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. π§ My daily chores just got an upgrade! Thanks to this app, I can dive into captivating stories while cooking and cleaning. ππ³ π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ
Friday Ferrari
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Carrot Joker
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments β I'm forever grateful. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Necromancer
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. The app is worth every penny. Itβs packed with features and works flawlessly.
Frosty Snazz
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces.
Dallas Foxface
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Wild Kitten
This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver!
MindfulMingle
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free.
Hex Panther
Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient β it's like having a personal narrator. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Shimmy Shammy
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
MysticMingle
Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Digital Equinox
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers.
Granola
This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Queen Bee
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
ThoughtTracer
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. 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.
Joker's Grin
This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Lava Nibbler
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
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