Asia Audiobooks | History

Ancient India and the Vedic Gods Audiobook

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. These four Vedas comprise a highly developed religious system - the Rig, Sama, Atharva, and Yajur Vedas. Through the worship of the demigods, or the Vedic gods, these Vedas were primarily intended to encourage the satisfaction of material desires. Thus, the Vedas clearly explain how to perform the required worship and sacrifices or rituals to these devas (demigods) to receive the blessings required to increase one's power and position or reach the heavens in the future or for other purposes. The point is that the devas participate and affect all universal management and activities, including the weather or who is blessed with certain opulence, such as riches, beautiful spouses, large families, good health, etc. A person could worship Agni to gain power, Durgadevi to obtain good fortune, Indra to have a healthy sexual life, or Vasus to earn money. Karma-kanda is the section of the Vedas that many consider the most essential part of Vedic teachings. Thus, people will be able to live a good life and enjoy a decent existence. Of course, various actions, or karmas, are motivated by our aspirations to achieve specific results. Several sections in the Vedas deal with Karma-Kanda. Although this is not the complete understanding of the karma-kanda segment, which provides rituals for purifying our minds and actions in pursuit of our desires, and not limiting ourselves to only acquiring everything that one needs from the demigods. One's habits and thoughts become purified when one has faith and steadiness in the performance of the ritual. As one becomes pure and free of those desires, one gradually acquires one's needs and assuages one's desires. When we purify our consciousness, we can achieve a higher level of spiritual activity. The karma-kanda rituals had this higher purpose. Unless one recognizes this, one misses the point and remains attached to ways to satisfy material desires, which will keep one in earthly existence."

Henry Romano (Author), Digital Voice Mike G (Narrator)

Audiobook

Avatars of Shiva

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. Shiva's attributes include impetuosity, generosity, and gullibility. People say Shiva is so eager to serve his devotees that he overlooks his safety. He hinders no one—not even demons. As quickly as he can be angry, he can also be appeased. On the other hand, Vishnu's shrewdness and ability to manipulate all situations consistently put him in control. As a result, Vishnu saved Shiva, and Shiva expressed his gratitude to him."

Henry Romano (Author), Digital Voice Mike G (Narrator)

Audiobook

Our History, Their History, Whose History? (Unabridged)

"An overview of nationalism and its impact on the study of history from one of India's most prominent historians. In this timely book, historian Romila Thapar delves into the complex world of nationalisms and its impact on the interpretations of the past and on the discipline of history itself. History, she expounds, is no mere collection of information and chronology and its purpose extends well beyond storytelling. Recognizing nationalism as a powerful force that gives rise to various narratives that provide ancestry to communities and shape the direction of societies, Thapar explores how, in India, two conflicting notions of nationalism have evolved and shaped the idea of the nation. Today, one such nationalistic theory claims the victimization of one religious community by another through centuries of 'misrule'. Such a claim willfully ignores ample evidence to the contrary to suit a particular political and ideological purpose. Thapar counters such attempts at misrepresentation by citing several historical instances of the nuanced interface and intermingling of cultures, as well as by showing how today's conflicts have their roots in the British colonial construction of India's history. She also addresses the recent controversy surrounding the deletions of sections of Indian history textbooks published by NCERT, the Indian educational council and suggests that the intention is more likely to be the promotion of a particular reading of history that conforms to the ideology of those in power. Engaging and thought-provoking, Our History, Their History, Whose History? invites readers to question the authenticity of historical narratives touted by one group of nationalists and it explores the clash between professional historians who study the past to understand our inherited present and fabricators who wield history for political gain."

Romila Thapar (Author), Romila Thapar (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Dutch; Flemish] - Koreaanse geschiedenis: Een hoorcollege over Korea, van de vroege geschiedenis to

"Korea heeft een lange geschiedenis. Het ligt ingeklemd tussen de invloedrijke en machtige buurlanden China en Japan, maar heeft in de vele eeuwen sinds de eerste stichtingsverhalen een geheel eigen identiteit ontwikkeld en behouden. Remco Breuker geeft in zijn veelzijdige hoorcollege een overzicht van deze lange en rijke geschiedenis van Korea. Hij begint chronologisch bij de mythische voorvader Tangun en eindigt bij het moderne Zuid-Korea van nu. Daarnaast behandelt hij een aantal tot de verbeelding sprekende thema's die de complexe cultuurgeschiedenis van Korea helder maken, zoals de rol van de Vietnamoorlog en die van de gangster als cultureel icoon. Maar ook de eeuwig vijandige relatie tussen Korea en Japan en één van de belangrijkste aspecten van hedendaags Zuid-Korea: de rol en invloed van familieconglomeraten zoals Samsung, LG, Hyundai en Kia. INHOUD College 1. Korte chronologie van de Koreaanse geschiedenis H1. De stichtingsverhalen en vroege geschiedenis (3000 v.o.j. - 1400) H2. De Choson dynastie (1400 - 1680) H3. Renaissance Choson, stichting keizerrijk en verlies soevereiniteit (1680 - 1945) College 2. Hoe de Vietnamoorlog Korea redde H4. Het wonder aan de Han rivier H5. Het ontstaan van de eerste Koreaanse familieconglomeraten College 3. Gangsters en vrijheidsstrijders H6. De gangster als cultuuricoon H7. De gangster als vaderlandslievende vrijheidsstrijder College 4. De rol en invloed van de familieconglomeraten H8. Een ander soort aristocratie H9. Republiek Samsung College 5. De relatie tussen Korea en Japan H10. Burenruzie H11. Oorzaken van het anti-Japanse sentiment"

Remco Breuker (Author), Remco Breuker (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ashoka: Portrait of a Philosopher King

"There are few historical figures more integral to South Asian history than Emperor Ashoka, a third-century BCE king who ruled over a larger area of the Indian subcontinent than anyone else before British colonial rule. Ashoka sought not only to rule his territory but also to give it a unity of purpose and aspiration, to unify the people of his vastly heterogeneous empire not by a cult of personality but by the cult of an idea—'dharma'—which served as the linchpin of a new moral order. He aspired to forge a new moral philosophy that would be internalized not only by the people of his empire but also by rulers and subjects of other countries, and would form the foundation for his theory of international relations, in which practicing dharma would bring international conflicts to an end. His fame spread far and wide both in India and in other parts of Asia, and it prompted diverse reimaginations of the king and his significance. In this deeply researched book, Patrick Olivelle draws on Ashoka's inscriptions and on the art and architecture he pioneered to craft a detailed picture of Ashoka as a ruler, a Buddhist, a moral philosopher, and an ecumenist who governed a vast multiethnic, multilinguistic, and multireligious empire."

Patrick Olivelle (Author), Neil Shah (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Martyr and the Red Kimono: A Fearless Priest’s Sacrifice and A New Generation of Hope in Japan

"Brought to you by Penguin. On the 14th of August 1941, a Polish monk named Maximilian Maria Kolbe was murdered in Auschwitz. Kolbe's life had been remarkable. Fiercely intelligent and driven, he founded a movement of Catholicism and spent several years in Nagasaki, ministering to the 'hidden Christians' who had emerged after centuries of oppression. A Polish nationalist as well as a monk, he gave sanctuary to fleeing refugees and ran Poland's largest publishing operation, drawing the wrath of the Nazis. His death was no less remarkable: he volunteered to die, saving the life of a fellow prisoner. It was an act that profoundly transformed the lives of two Japanese men. Tomei Ozaki was just seventeen when the US dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, destroying his home and his family. Masatoshi Asari worked on a farm in Hokkaido during the war and was haunted by the inhumane treatment of prisoners in a nearby camp. Forged in the crucible of an unforgiving war, both men drew inspiration from Kolbe's sacrifice, dedicating their lives to humanity and justice. In The Martyr and the Red Kimono, award-winning author Naoko Abe weaves together a deeply moving and inspirational true story of resistance, sacrifice, guilt and atonement. ©2024 Naoko Abe (P)2024 Penguin Audio"

Naoko Abe (Author), Ami Okumura Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Luzon Campaign 1945: MacArthur Returns

"The Luzon campaign of 1945 was the longest island campaign of the Pacific War, lasting from January 1945 to September 1945, and only ended with the surrender of Imperial Japan. It is often overlooked or mentioned in passing by most histories of that war, yet hundreds of thousands of Americans and Japanese fought in some of the worst conditions imaginable for eight months to clear Luzon of the invaders. This full account of the Luzon campaign stretches from planning stages to the end of the war and the surrender of over 50,000 Japanese troops under the noted Japanese general Yamashita. The landings at Lingayen Gulf, the Battle for Manila, and the recapture of Corregidor are all included, as well as lesser-known battles for the summer capital of Baguio, the battle for Manila's water supply, constant jungle fighting, the raids to rescue Allied POWs, the recapture of Bataan, destruction of the only Japanese armored division to fight in the Pacific, American parachute drops on Corregidor and Aparri, and much more. Individual acts of heroism are highlighted as are the interactions among the senior commanders involved, including General MacArthur, General Krueger (6th Army) and General Eichelberger (8th Army). The book ends with the surrender of Imperial Japan and the end of the Luzon Campaign in September 1945."

Nathan N. Prefer (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

Audiobook

Zen Buddhism and Its Relation to Art

"In this entertaining pamphlet, the author, who was an expert on the artistic traditions of China and Japan, examines the effect of Zen Buddhism on popular culture. He provides a perceptive thumbnail view of the development of Buddhism in the Far East, and engaging portraits of its luminary figures."

Arthur Waley (Author), Denis Daly (Narrator)

Audiobook

Be More Japan

"A fascinating journey through the wisdom and wonders of Japan In love with all things Japan or looking to absorb a little Japanese wisdom into your daily life? From the philosophies of ikigai and wabi sabi to kitsch karaoke nights and futuristic robot restaurants; traditional tea ceremonies and tranquil onsen dwellings to cosplay culture and J-Pop megastars; Japan is full of intriguing contradictions. Though renowned for its ultramodern capital Tokyo - a sprawling neon-lit metropolis straight from the pages of a science fiction novel - Japan is still deeply rooted in ancient tradition. And while the country runs with clockwork precision, the cultural life of its inhabitants is transformed with the changing of the seasons, a testament to the enduring power of nature's rhythms. Alive with facts, history and inspiration, Be More Japan unlocks the secrets behind modern Japanese living - whether you're eating sushi in London or enjoying the cherry blossoms in San Francisco. And if you're dreaming of a future trip to Japan, this audiobook will get you closer to your destination before you've even departed. ©2024 DK Eyewitness (P)2024 DK Audio"

Dk Eyewitness (Author), Hanako Footman (Narrator)

Audiobook

On Guerrilla Warfare

"'On Guerrilla Warfare' by Mao Tse Tung is a foundational text that elaborates on the strategies and philosophies behind guerrilla warfare, authored by the revolutionary leader during the tumultuous period of the Chinese Civil War and the Japanese invasion of China in the 20th century. Mao's work is not just a military manual but a profound treatise on the application of guerrilla tactics as a form of irregular warfare by a smaller, mobile force against a larger, more conventionally equipped enemy. Through this work, Mao emphasizes the importance of political ideology, the support of the local population, and the use of the terrain to the guerrilla fighter's advantage. His insights into the interplay between politics and military strategy have made this work a staple reference in the study of revolutionary warfare and insurgency movements globally, influencing numerous conflicts and shaping the tactics of various liberation movements."

Mao Tse Tung (Author), William Heschel (Narrator)

Audiobook

World War II in the Arctic: The History of the Aleutian Islands Campaign and Nazi Germany’s Arctic I

"Today, everyone remembers the most famous consequences of Hitler’s choice, particularly the fighting at Leningrad and Stalingrad, but the invasion was so comprehensive that it also involved fighting in the barren lands near the Arctic Circle, bringing fierce combat to the taiga and tundra. In fact, Arctic combat occurred in both the Pacific and European theaters of the war, and in both cases the operations were related in some measure to external lines of supply to the USSR. Meanwhile, the Wehrmacht and the Red Army also met in the boreal pine forests, bogs, and tundra of Lapland and far northern Russia during the Barbarossa campaign of 1941. Fighting separately from the other Army Groups of the Third Reich, elite German Gebirgs (mountain) division soldiers and tough, resourceful Finns clashed with relatively determined and experienced Red Army soldiers in the forbidding terrain east of Finland’s border. This campaign bore the elegant operational tile of Silberfuchs, or “Silver Fox.” Aiming for Murmansk, a key Soviet port, or at least to sever the rail lines connecting it to points south and east, the Germans found themselves contending with the rugged, unfamiliar landscape, tough Soviet resistance, and as all too frequently occurred, the half-baked strategic meddling of Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer of the Third Reich. For the Japanese, the secondary operation to the Aleutian Islands proved more successful than the main thrust at Midway Island. In a triumph of cryptanalytic skill and poker-player daring, codebreaker Joseph Rochefort and his team at “Hypo” cracked Japanese messages proving the main effort aimed at Midway. The U.S. Navy intercepted Yamamoto's fleet at Midway and smashed its carriers in one of the most decisive actions of the Pacific Theater on June 3rd to 7th, 1942. The Aleutians invasion, on the other hand, gave Japan a foothold on American territory that required almost a year to dislodge."

Charles River Editors (Author), Jim Walsh (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Book of Tea

"Immerse yourself in The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura, a seminal exploration of Teaism's profound influence on Japanese culture and beyond. This eloquent 1906 essay intertwines philosophy, aesthetics, and the essence of life, presenting tea not merely as a drink but as a spiritual and cultural journey. This audiobook uncovers how Teaism fosters harmony, celebrates imperfection, and offers a sanctuary from life's complexities. Okakura's insights into Zen and Taoism through the lens of the tea ceremony invite listeners to a deeper appreciation of beauty and simplicity in daily life. The Book of Tea is an essential listen for those intrigued by tea's mystique, Japanese culture, or seeking tranquility in our tumultuous world. Join us on this serene voyage and let the timeless wisdom of Kakuzo Okakura inspire mindfulness and peace in your everyday life. This audiobook was narrated and produced by RAM Studios, where humans and artificial intelligence collaborate to create an excellent listening experience. (The reading is done primarily by AI)"

Kakuzo Okakura (Author), Anna Isaksen (Narrator)

Audiobook

Asia Audiobooks in History