Book description
The riveting story of five families shattered by pernicious, pervasive conspiracy theories, and how we might set ourselves free from a crisis that could haunt American life for generations. "Compassionate, wise, and thoroughly reported . . . one of the defining books of our time."--Johann Hari, New York Times bestselling author of Magic Pill "SHED MY DNA" three excruciating words uttered by a QAnon-obsessed mother, once a highly respected lawyer, to her only son, once the closest person in her life. QAnon beliefs and adjacent conspiracy theories have had devastating political consequences as they've exploded in popularity. What's often overlooked is the lasting havoc they wreak on our society at its most basic and intimate level--the family. In The Quiet Damage, celebrated reporter Jesselyn Cook paints a harrowing portrait of the vulnerabilities that have left so many of us susceptible to outrageous falsehoods promising order, purpose, and control. Braided throughout are the stories of five American families: an elderly couple whose fifty-year romance takes a heartbreaking turn; millennial sisters of color who grew up in dire poverty--one to become a BLM activist, the other, a hardcore conspiracy theorist pulling her little boy down the rabbit hole with her; a Bay Area hippie-type and her business-executive fiancΓ©, who must decide whether to stay with her as she turns into a stranger before his eyes; evangelical parents whose simple life in a sleepy suburb spirals into delusion-fueled chaos; and a rural mother-son duo who, after carrying each other through unspeakable tragedy, stop speaking at all as ludicrous untruths shatter a bond long thought unbreakable. Charting the arc of each believer's path from their first intersection with conspiracy theories to the depths of their cultish conviction, to--in some cases--their rejection of disinformation and the mending of fractured relationships, Cook offers a rare, intimate look into the psychology of how and why ordinary people come to believe the unbelievable. Profound, brilliantly researched, and beautifully written, The Quiet Damage lays bare how we have been taken hostage by grifters peddling lies built on false hope--and how we might release our loved ones, and ourselves, from their grasp.
About the Author
Jesselyn Cook is an award-winning investigative reporter and journalism lecturer who has written extensively about online conspiracy theories and their offline harms. Prior to covering the tech beat at NBC News, she was a senior reporter on HuffPost's national enterprise desk. She holds a master's degree in journalism and international relations from New York University and was selected as a 2025 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.
Gabriel Dandelion
ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. 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!
Purity
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
Pinball Wizard
From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Atlantic Rim
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential!
Taz Ringer
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Metal Aphrodite
βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
Daffy Neo
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ
Chocolate Thunder
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable.
Trixie Doodle
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Bad Beh8vior
This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly.
Trash Pocky
The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Drop Stone
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
Daisy Stick
The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Lava Nibbler
π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Spooky Electric
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends.
Scarlet Mary
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
WonderWords
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
ZenaCake
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. 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 This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Black Firefly
User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. 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!
Raggedy Ann
Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization! Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook 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