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.
Trixie Doodle
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that has a big impact on my listening experience. I love it!
21st Street
ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ
Fresh Peper
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Zod
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again β it's a must-have. ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Morbid Angel
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus!
Honey
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Lewd Dice
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Icy Avenger
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content β it's a real game-changer. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
Plegasus
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Twix Esses
βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
WanderWord
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Essex
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
DeathDancer
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Plum Moon
Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. The app is worth every penny. Itβs packed with features and works flawlessly. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
NexusNavigator
This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's an essential part of my day. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel.
Divine Bramble
This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! 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!
Cabbie
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Bad Beret
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Redneck Giorgio
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Lightening Trip
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ πΌ Enhancing work-from-home productivity β audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. π»π Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is a triumph.
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