Book description
A New York Times Notable Book The inspiration for PBS's AMERICAN EXPERIENCE film The Poison Squad. From Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times-bestselling author Deborah Blum, the dramatic true story of how food was made safe in the United States and the heroes, led by the inimitable Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley, who fought for change By the end of nineteenth century, food was dangerous. Lethal, even. Milk might contain formaldehyde, most often used to embalm corpses. Decaying meat was preserved with both salicylic acid, a pharmaceutical chemical, and borax, a compound first identified as a cleaning product. This was not by accident; food manufacturers had rushed to embrace the rise of industrial chemistry, and were knowingly selling harmful products. Unchecked by government regulation, basic safety, or even labelling requirements, they put profit before the health of their customers. By some estimates, in New York City alone, thousands of children were killed by embalmed milk every year. Citizens--activists, journalists, scientists, and women's groups--began agitating for change. But even as protective measures were enacted in Europe, American corporations blocked even modest regulations. Then, in 1883, Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley, a chemistry professor from Purdue University, was named chief chemist of the agriculture department, and the agency began methodically investigating food and drink fraud, even conducting shocking human tests on groups of young men who came to be known as, The Poison Squad. Over the next thirty years, a titanic struggle took place, with the courageous and fascinating Dr. Wiley campaigning indefatigably for food safety and consumer protection. Together with a gallant cast, including the muckraking reporter Upton Sinclair, whose fiction revealed the horrific truth about the Chicago stockyards; Fannie Farmer, then the most famous cookbook author in the country; and Henry J. Heinz, one of the few food producers who actively advocated for pure food, Dr. Wiley changed history. When the landmark 1906 Food and Drug Act was finally passed, it was known across the land, as Dr. Wiley's Law. Blum brings to life this timeless and hugely satisfying David and Goliath tale with righteous verve and style, driving home the moral imperative of confronting corporate greed and government corruption with a bracing clarity, which speaks resoundingly to the enormous social and political challenges we face today.
Shooter
Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Ginger Chaos
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. I can't get enough of this app β it's a true game-changer for book lovers. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Sick Saurus
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Bad Beh8vior
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! π§ Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs β this app has it all! ππΌ The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
InsightfulInk
Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer.
PP Dubs
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Pink C
Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Mosquit-No
I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks.
Abiss
ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze.
360
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Handsome
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter!
Bad Bond
ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
Dahlia Bumble
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Saint La-Z-Boy
Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration.
Sweetness
I've become addicted to this app β in the best possible way! I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance β it's a must-have for any reader. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Homerun Diva
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. πΆββοΈπ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure β I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ποΈπ Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π
Campfire Mama
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Purity Catnip
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Pinup Diva
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Zero Corn
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star 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