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 fiancé, 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.
Spicy Thunder
Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Cereal Killer
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play – it's genius! Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. 🎉🎧
ForumFlare
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SWAT Honey
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Spoiler
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
SneakerKid
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MysticMingle
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180
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Baby Spell
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments.
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Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Chuckles
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Sky Dahlia
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. This app's library is a treasure trove – I'm always discovering new favorites. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏 ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Thunder Tank
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Old Man Winter
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Freesia
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Uncle Psycho
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Bug Blitz
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Lady Q
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Miss Rum Punch
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone.
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