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.
Find It Girl
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! πΆββοΈπ Exploring stories as I stroll β audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. ποΈπ§
FireBerry
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. Sharing audiobooks via AirDrop is incredibly convenient. Great feature! 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!
Natural Mess
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true β from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience.
General Broomdog
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks!
Darling Peacock
With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life.
Steel Heart
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
HolyCombo
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
TulipCake
Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Ember Rope
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
ThoughtTrail
ποΈ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level β audiobooks make it an adventure! ππ The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find.
Delicious Wing
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Short Firecracker
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
D-Hog-Day
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ
Fire Fish
This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Lunar Treat
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. 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.
Insane SweepKick
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. ππ§ ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
Glyph
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Biscuit Meg
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips.
Chocolate Thunder
ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ±
Knight Light
π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection.
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