Asia Audiobooks | History

A Brief History of Tokyo: Secrets of the World's Most Fascinating Metropolis

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. Discover Tokyo’s hidden past – where ancient traditions meet futuristic marvels. Have you ever wondered how Tokyo transformed from a quiet fishing village into a bustling global metropolis? Are you fascinated by the samurai era, cultural revolutions, and the resilience that shaped this iconic city? If you’re a history lover or a curious traveler, uncovering Tokyo’s evolution can feel overwhelming. This book makes Tokyo’s history come alive. From the rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate to the post-war boom, A Brief History of Tokyo guides you through the city’s transformation with engaging stories and key moments that defined its past and future. What you’ll discover: - The early days of Edo and the rise of the samurai. - Tokyo’s modernization during the Meiji Restoration. - How the city rebuilt after World War II and became a global icon. - Tokyo’s cultural diversity and its plans for the future. A concise, captivating journey through Tokyo’s past. Whether you’re visiting, studying, or simply curious, this book offers everything you need to appreciate Tokyo’s rich history and resilience. Press play now to start exploring the secrets of Tokyo today! *PDF copy included with purchase"

Dominic Haynes (Author), Digital Voice Matt G (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Tocharians: The Enigmatic History of the Ancient Ethnic Groups in East Asia

"Located in the Tarim Basin of Asia during the first few centuries CE, a people and a kingdom grew to prominence in medieval central and east Asian geopolitics. The people are known today as the Tocharians, and their primary kingdom was Kucha, but despite their longevity, this incredible kingdom and its people have been overlooked and misunderstood by modern societies and historians for centuries. The lack of in-depth studies on the Tocharians largely stems from the fact that they are relatively newcomers to the modern academic scene - it was only in the late 19th century that historians identified them as a distinct ethnic group, and even today, philologists, historians, and archaeologists still have much to uncover about these enigmatic people and their kingdom. A potential early misidentification caused much of this confusion, yet scholars were also left wondering how the Tocharians came to occupy the Tarim Basin, which was perhaps based on the biases of 19th century historians. What has been uncovered so far is truly fascinating and important in the larger picture of Asian and Indo-European history. When scholars first discovered the Tocharians in the late 19th century, they were amazed that Caucasian people who spoke an Indo-European language flourished so far away from the Indo-European homeland and other Indo-European peoples. Scholars immediately developed several theories to explain this apparent anomaly: some were quite logical and formed the basis for current models, while others were quickly and rightfully forgotten. An examination of the textual, archaeological, and art history sources reveals that the Tocharians played a major impact in the affairs of East and Central Asia, indirectly through their predecessors and their descendants, but also directly through trade, diplomacy, and most of all, religion. "

Charles River Editors (Author), Steve Knupp (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Pacific Theater: Island Hopping and the Fight Against Japan

"The Pacific Theater of World War II was the culmination of decades of tension, territorial disputes, and ideological differences between Japan and the Allied Powers, particularly the United States. The roots of the conflict can be traced back to Japan’s rise as an imperial power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Seeking to expand its influence across East Asia and the Pacific, Japan embarked on a campaign of military conquest and economic domination, often at the expense of its neighbors. By the 1930s, Japan’s aggressive expansionist policies became more pronounced, beginning with the invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and escalating with the full-scale war against China in 1937. These actions alarmed Western powers, who viewed Japan’s ambitions as a direct challenge to their interests in the region. The United States, in particular, responded by imposing economic sanctions and cutting off vital supplies, including oil, to curtail Japan’s militarism. However, these measures only further inflamed tensions, as Japan viewed them as an existential threat to its survival and growth as a global power. The turning point came on December 7, 1941, with Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. This audacious assault on the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii aimed to neutralize American naval power and secure Japan’s dominance in the Pacific. Although the attack achieved significant tactical success, crippling much of the U.S. fleet, it also galvanized American public opinion and led to the United States’ entry into World War II. The attack on Pearl Harbor marked the beginning of a brutal and protracted conflict that would span nearly four years and claim millions of lives. "

Sage Winters (Author), Valentine Hatchers (Narrator)

Audiobook

Imperial Japan: The WWII Rising Sun's Brutal March of Conquest (3 in 1)

"This book contains 3 titles, which are about the following topics: Japan's Surrender: The Pacific theater of World War II was a brutal and protracted conflict, defined by fierce battles, shifting strategies, and immense human cost. By 1945, the war had entered its final stages, with the Allied forces, led primarily by the United States, gradually gaining the upper hand over Imperial Japan. The end of the Pacific War seemed inevitable, yet the path to Japan's surrender was far from straightforward. The road to victory in the Pacific involved a combination of military ingenuity, strategic alliances, and significant geopolitical shifts. However, the culmination of this path was not solely the result of battlefield victories but also of profound shifts in the political, economic, and moral considerations of both the Japanese leadership and the Allied powers. Pearl Harbor: The path to the attack on Pearl Harbor was paved by years of escalating tension between Japan, the United States, and other global powers. By the 1930s, Japan had increasingly pursued aggressive territorial expansion in Asia. The country sought to secure resources to fuel its growing industrial machine, leading to its invasion of China and the creation of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. This expansionist ideology put Japan on a collision course with Western powers, particularly the United States, who had significant economic interests in the Pacific region. The Pacific Theater: The Pacific Theater of World War II was the culmination of decades of tension, territorial disputes, and ideological differences between Japan and the Allied Powers, particularly the United States. The roots of the conflict can be traced back to Japan’s rise as an imperial power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries."

Sage Winters (Author), Valentine Hatchers (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Great Wall of China

"'The Great Wall of China' is a short story by Franz Kafka. While written in 1917, it was not published until 1930, seven years after his death. Its first publication occurred in Der Morgen, a German literary magazine. A year later, Max Brod included it in Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer, the first posthumous collection of short stories by Franz Kafka. Contained within the story is a parable that was separately published as 'A Message from the Emperor' ('Eine kaiserliche Botschaft') in 1919 in the collection Ein Landarzt (A Country Doctor). Some sub-themes of the story include why the wall was built piecemeal (in small sections in many different places), the relationship of the Chinese with the past and the present and the emperor's imperceptible presence. The story is told in the first person by an older man from a southern province. The first English translation, by Willa and Edwin Muir, was published by Martin Secker in London in 1933. It appeared in The Great Wall of China. Stories and Reflections (New York City: Schocken Books, 1946)."

Franz Kafka (Author), Peter Coates (Narrator)

Audiobook

Beyond the Call of Duty: The Life of Colonel Robert Howard, America's Most Decorated Green Beret

"As a child, Robert Howard was taught by his Granny Callie to always face his threats head-on. Some thirty years later, he emerged from the Vietnam War as America's most decorated Green Beret. For the first time, Robert Howard's story is being told in full. Respected military historian Stephen L. Moore takes readers into the heart of the Vietnam War's covert Special Ops jungle warfare in this immersive, suspenseful read. Through family sources, National Archives documents, and dozens of testimonials from the Green Berets who fought alongside him, this "one-man army" will finally be given the recognition he deserves. Robert Howard grew up in poverty in a small town in Alabama, with a strong sense of faith and determination. When he enlisted in the army at age seventeen, his Granny Callie's words echoed in his head, and he pledged to follow them to the bitter end. In the most dire of combat experiences, Howard ran directly toward his opponents, sacrificing his body to protect others and to complete the mission above all else. Time and time again, he survived battles that should have claimed his life, suffering countless bullets, a spinal injury, and shrapnel and blast wounds. Recon commanders who ran missions with him declared him to be the bravest man they had ever met. In return, Howard received a staggering number of awards and ribbons for valor and distinctive service in combat-over fifty in all, including the Medal of Honor, eight Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, and four Bronze Stars. He holds the distinction of being the only soldier nominated for the Medal of Honor three times in only a thirteen-month period. In total, Howard spent a grueling, treacherous forty months in combat duty in Vietnam, including over two years with MACV-SOG's elite covert group."

Stephen L. Moore (Author), Johnny Heller (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Apathy of Empire: Cambodia in American Geopolitics

"The Apathy of Empire reveals just how significant Cambodia was to U.S. policy in Indochina during the Vietnam War, broadening the lens to include more than the often-cited incursion in 1970 or the illegal bombing after the Paris Peace Accords in 1973. This theoretically informed and thoroughly documented case study argues that U.S. military intervention in Cambodia revealed America's efforts to construct a hegemonic spatial world order. James Tyner documents the shift of America's post-1945 focus from national defense to national security. He demonstrates that America's expansionist policies abroad, often bolstered by military power, were not so much about occupying territory but instead constituted the construction of a new normal for the exercise of state power. And yet America's grand strategy was one of contradiction: to build a sovereign state (South Vietnam) based on democratic liberalism, it was necessary to protect its boundaries—in effect, to isolate it—through both covert and overt operations in violation of Cambodia's sovereignty. Questioning reductionist geopolitical understandings of states as central or peripheral, Tyner explores this paradox to rethink the formulation of the Cambodian war as sideshow, revealing it instead as a crucial site for the formation of this new normal."

James A. Tyner (Author), Jonathan Yen (Narrator)

Audiobook

1965: Courage Unleashed: Short Stories of the Indo-Pak War

"Did you know that the 1965 Indo–Pak War was initiated by Field Marshal Ayub Khan of Pakistan in an effort to wrest Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) from India? His failure to achieve his aim led eventually to his overthrow. This account highlights the human dimension of war through the dramatic personal experiences of army and air force officers that astonish and overwhelm one’s imagination. It will convince the reader that real life is often stranger than fiction. The book also brings to light little-known facts that occurred across land, sea and air."

Ian Cardozo (Author), Dev J Haldar (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Nature of Evil: Perspectives from Asian Religious Beliefs and Practices: Asian Cures for Evil

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. “The Nature of Evil: Perspectives from Asian Religious Beliefs and Practices” delves into the complex and multifaceted understandings of evil within various Asian religious traditions. While Western philosophies and theologies have extensively grappled with the concept of evil, Asian spiritual perspectives provide unique, often underexplored insights that challenge conventional notions. This book examines how religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Shintoism, Taoism, and Confucianism approach the concept of evil, its manifestations, human responses, and spiritual practices aimed at overcoming or transcending it. The text unpacks how these diverse beliefs interpret suffering, moral responsibility, cosmic order, and the role of individual and collective action in confronting evil. With references to ancient scriptures, contemporary practices, and theological discourses, readers will gain a broad understanding of how these traditions define, confront, and seek to transform or neutralize evil. Whether a reader is a theologian, a student of religious studies, or someone interested in comparative religion, “The Nature of Evil” provides an in-depth examination of Asian philosophies and spiritual teachings that contribute to a global conversation on ethics, morality, and the metaphysical struggle between good and evil."

Lisu Han (Author), Digital Voice Madison G (Narrator)

Audiobook

“Kakure Kirishitan: The Hidden Christians of Japan”: Hidden Japan Past too 2025

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. For over two centuries, the Kakure Kirishitan—the Hidden Christians of Japan—kept their faith alive in secret, defying the Tokugawa Shogunate’s brutal persecution of Christianity. In this compelling and meticulously researched book, Vincent Froom uncovers the remarkable story of resilience, adaptation, and devotion that defined these hidden communities. A Journey Through History Blending rich historical analysis with cultural insights, Hidden Faith takes readers on a journey through the Kakure Kirishitan’s clandestine practices, innovative rituals, and unwavering faith. From their covert worship in hidden altars to their ingenious blending of Christian and Japanese traditions, these communities found ways to preserve their identity under the constant threat of discovery and death. Key Topics Explored: • The Historical Context: Christianity’s introduction to Japan, its rapid spread, and the violent suppression that followed under the Tokugawa Shogunate. • Survival Strategies: How the Kakure Kirishitan maintained their beliefs through secret symbols, encoded prayers, and oral traditions. • Syncretism and Adaptation: The unique fusion of Christian teachings with Japanese cultural and spiritual elements to evade detection. • The End of Persecution: The Meiji Restoration and its impact on the re-emergence of Christianity in Japan. • Modern-Day Kakure Kirishitan: The legacy of these hidden communities in contemporary Japan and their contributions to global religious history. A Story of Resilience and Faith Through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis,"

Vincent Froom (Author), Digital Voice Madison G (Narrator)

Audiobook

Analects

"'The Analects' by Confucius is more than a book—it's a gateway to timeless wisdom. Imagine a mosaic of conversations, meditations, and insights that span centuries, capturing the essence of human morality, leadership, and personal growth. Each passage feels like a puzzle piece, challenging you to reflect, interpret, and unlock deeper truths about yourself and the world. At its heart lies the pursuit of harmony—between individuals, communities, and the cosmos itself. Through Confucius' dialogues with his disciples, you are invited into an ancient yet surprisingly modern classroom where questions of virtue, justice, and respect take center stage. Yet, 'The Analects' is not an instruction manual but a philosophical dance, where answers are not handed out but discovered. Each chapter tempts you to pause, ponder, and reshape your understanding of life's complexities. It's a text that breathes, waiting for your own experience to illuminate its teachings. Whether you seek guidance as a leader, crave insight into human relationships, or simply love the enigmatic beauty of Eastern philosophy, 'The Analects' offers a treasure trove of ideas that resonate across cultures and eras. Are you ready to join this timeless dialogue and let Confucius become your guide to a more thoughtful life?"

Confucius (Author), Peter Coates (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Spring and Autumn & Warring States Periods: A History of China

"“The Spring and Autumn & Warring States Periods” takes you on a journey through one of the most transformative eras in Chinese history, marked by endless battles, brilliant strategies, and the rise and fall of powerful leaders. The story begins with the collapse of the Western Zhou dynasty, paving the way for a fragmented political landscape. The book brings to life the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period, such as Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Zhuang of Zheng, and the Seven Warring States, which competed for supremacy. Key events include Duke Zhuang's rise to power, the cunning reforms of Guan Zhong in Qi, and the power struggles like the Wu-Yue rivalry and the pivotal partitioning of Jin into Zhao, Wei, and Han. Iconic characters leap from the pages: Duke Zhuang of Zheng, who asserted dominance through strategic alliances and decisive victories; Guan Zhong, whose reforms transformed Qi into a powerhouse; and military geniuses like Sun Bin and his rivalry with Pang Juan. Philosophers like Confucius, Laozi, and Mozi also emerge, their ideas responding to the chaos and laying the intellectual groundwork for Chinese civilization. Major reforms, like Shang Yang’s legal transformations in Qin, herald the transition from feudalism to centralized states, culminating in the Qin dynasty's unification of China. The book captures the drama of this era with vivid storytelling, exploring the lives of farmers, soldiers, and scholars amid upheaval. This period shaped China’s political and cultural future, making this book essential for understanding one of the world's oldest civilizations. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or curious about China’s roots, this accessible account brings an extraordinary epoch to life."

Hui Wang (Author), Frederick Surrey (Narrator)

Audiobook

Asia Audiobooks in History