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.
Freeway
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
Cupid Dust
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading.
Baby Brown
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Sand Whiskers
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Wild Kitten
The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook!
StarZen
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Bug Fire
My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
1st Degree
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster.
Midas
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Bad Princess
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RealmRanger
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Emerald Vine
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Frenzy
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal – unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction.
Rummy Stickers
💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Miss Nova
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
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Flakes
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is commendable. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
Serendipity
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight.
Daffy Neo
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Digital Moonshine
ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
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