Book description
WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling financial journalist Gretchen Morgenson and financial policy analyst Joshua Rosner investigate the insidious world of private equity, revealing how it leeches profits from everyday Americans, tanks the companies it acquires, and puts our entire economic system at risk. Much has been written about the widening gulf between rich and poor, the pernicious effects our deepening income inequality has on the US's well-being, and how our style of capitalism has failed to provide a living wage for so many Americans. But nothing has fully detailed the crucial role a small cohort of elite financiers has played in this dispiriting outcome over the past thirty years. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Gretchen Morgenson, with coauthor Joshua Rosner, unmask the small group of celebrated Wall Street financiers, and their government enablers, who use excessive debt and dubious practices to undermine our nation's economy for their own enrichment: private equity. These are the Plunderers lucidly and maddeningly traces the thirty-year history of corporate takeovers in America and private equity's increasing dominance. Morgenson and Rosner investigate some of the biggest names in private equity, exposing how they buy companies, load them with debt, and then bleed them of assets and profits. All while prosecutors and regulators stand idle. Morgenson and Rosner show how companies absorbed by private equity have worse outcomes for everyone but the financiers: employees are more likely to lose their jobs or their benefits; companies are more likely to go bankrupt; patients are more likely to have higher healthcare costs; residents of nursing homes are more likely to die; towns struggle when private equity buys the main businesses, crippling the local economy; andschool teachers, firefighters, medical technicians, and other public workers are more likely to have lower returns on their pensions because of the fees private equity extracts from their investments. In other words: we are all worse off because of private equity. These are the Plunderers exposes the greed and pillaging in private equity, revealing the many ways these billionaires have bled our economy, and, in turn, us.
Troubled Pie
π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Coma Stalk
πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone!
DreamWeaver
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Baked ZD
π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer!
Slinger
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Necessary Momentum
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
WonderWords
I'm hooked on this app β it's like Netflix for book lovers! No need to convert files anymore β ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
Eerie
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's design is user-centric. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
VisionVortex
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
DZE
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate.
Trixie
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise.
PixelPioneer
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§ Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Gullyway
I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
Frosty
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. ππ Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment.
Snow Hound
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
Trouble Mittens
No more worries about compatibility β ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Landfill Max
I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Hyper Kong
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive! Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Cream
I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Gentle Avenger
I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π
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