Audiobooks narrated by Rory Alexander

Moral AI: And How We Get There Audiobook

Brought to you by Penguin. A reassuring and thought-provoking guide to all the big questions about AI and ethics Should robots ever be considered free? Will computers transcend human intelligence? And what can we do to make sure AI is safe? The artificial intelligence revolution has begun. Today, there are self-driving cars on our streets, autonomous weapons in our armies, robot surgeons in our hospitals - and AI's presence in our lives will only increase. Some see this as the dawn of new era in innovation and ease; others are alarmed by its destructive potential. But one thing is clear: this is a technology like no other, one that raises profound questions about freedom, justice and the very definition of human agency. In Moral AI, world-renowned researchers in artificial intelligence and philosophy, Jana Schaich Borg, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong and Vince Conitzer tackle these thorny issues head-on. Writing lucidly and calmly, they lay out the recent advances in this still nascent field, peeling away the exaggeration and alarm, and offer clear examinations of the moral concerns at the heart of AI programmes. Ultimately, they argue that artificial intelligence can be built and used safely and ethically, but that its potential cannot be achieved without careful reflection on the values we wish to imbue it with. This is an essential primer for any thinking person. ©2024 Jana Schaich Borg, Vincent Conitzer, and Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Jana Schaich Borg, Vincent Conitzer, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (Author), Rory Alexander, TBD (Narrator)

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Between Meals: An Appetite for Paris

Brought to you by Penguin. While on a year of study in Paris in 1927, Liebling acquired the friendship and tutelage of Yves Mirande, 'one of the last great Gastronomes of France', beginning a joyous apprenticeship in the fine art of eating. Told with gluttonous joie de vivre, Between Meals expounds on the delights and pitfalls of a life dedicated to food, from bad rosé ('a pinkish cross between No-Cal and vinegar') to lobster a l'Américaine ('I have never personally inquired into the mysteries of its fabrication; I am content to love a masterpiece of painting without asking how the artist mixed his colors'), to a memorable stay at a Swiss slimming-clinic with a masseur named Sprudli. Witty, grouchy and full of gusto, Between Meals has the exquisite sensuality of a Michelin-starred meal and the delicious, catty wit of the perfect dinner guest. It is a lovesong to food, wine and Paris. ©2023 A. J. Liebling (P)2023 Penguin Audio

A. J. Liebling (Author), Rory Alexander (Narrator)

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For the First Time, Again

Brought to you by Penguin. When you don't know The Rules it's hard to stay safe. After a traumatic incident, Aster finds that her blood work comes back with some unusual readings. Unsurprising, as she's the last of an alien race called the Kibsu. But Aster doesn't know this. Immediately, Aster finds herself the focus of a hunt, with her mortal enemies, the Trackers, on one side, and the American government on the other. There seems to be nowhere she can run. But help often comes from the most unexpected quarter . . . One thing is certain. Whoever finds Aster first will hold the fate of the Kibsu - and our world - in their hands. © Sylvian Neuvel 2023 (P) Penguin Audio 2023

Sylvain Neuvel (Author), Imogen Wilde, Jilly Bond, Kevin Shen, Kristin Atherton, Lance C. Fuller, Rory Alexander, William Hope (Narrator)

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Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-speaking Peoples Since 1500

Brought to you by Penguin. For most of its existence German-speaking Europe has been splintered into innumerable states - some substantial (such as Austria and Prussia) and some consisting of just a few Alpine meadows. Its military experience has also been extraordinarily varied: threatened and threatening; a mere buffer-zone, and a global threat. Iron and Blood is a startlingly ambitious and absorbing book. It encompasses five centuries of political, military, technological and economic change to tell the story of the German-speaking lands, from the Rhine to the Balkan frontier, from Switzerland to the North Sea. Wilson's narrative considers everything from weapons development to recruitment to battlefield strategy. Germans' military impact on the rest of Europe has been immense. If there is one constant it has been the sense of being beset by seemingly more powerful enemies - France or Russia or Turkey - and the need to strike a rapid knockout blow to ensure a favourable result. Almost inevitably, this has in practice meant protracted, relentless and often unwinnable wars, and - in 1939-1945 - moral catastrophe. The author of definitive books on the Holy Roman Empire and the Thirty Years War, Peter Wilson has with Iron and Blood written his masterpiece. © Peter H. Wilson 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Peter H. Wilson (Author), Rory Alexander (Narrator)

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The Immortality Thief

Brought to you by Penguin. When linguist and smuggler Sean Wren is blackmailed into a job to get some data off an ancient ship, he's not expecting it to be the Philosopher's Stone: a literal recipe for immortality. Unfortunately, he's not the only one looking. The undying Ministers, mysterious aliens that have ruled over humanity for thousands of years, want the data too. So does the Republic, the last free human government. To add to the fun, the map to the treasure is in a long-lost language, the ship's filled with dangerous traps and genetically-engineered monsters, and the nearby star's going supernova in a few days. Easy job, right? © Taran Hunt 2022 (P) Penguin Audio and Rebellion Publishing 2022

Taran Hunt (Author), Rory Alexander (Narrator)

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At Home In The World: Lessons from a remarkable life

Brought to you by Penguin. Essential life lessons from the world's most famous monk. Through a beautiful collection of autobiographical stories and teachings, At Home in the World tells the remarkable life of the beloved Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh. With his signature clarity and warmth, he shares tales from his childhood in rural Vietnam through to his travels teaching the world the art of mindfulness. 'One of the most influential spiritual leaders of our times' Oprah 'Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal inner peace and peace on earth' The Dalai Lama 'Thich Nhat Hanh does not merely teach peace; Thich Nhat Hanh is peace' Elizabeth Gilbert © Thich Nhat Hanh 2016 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Thich Nhat Hanh (Author), Rory Alexander (Narrator)

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Last Time We Met: A heart-warming and emotional will-they-won’t-they friends-to-lovers romance for 2

Brought to you by Penguin. The most heart-warming and emotional romcom of 2022, perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Sophie Cousens ONE PROMISE Best friends Eleanor and Fin are inseparable. They are convinced that it will always be this way. But to be sure, they make a pact to keep their lives intertwined. And of course, they'll get married if they're both 35 and single. TWO DECADES Eleanor and Fin haven't spoken in fifteen years. They live on different continents, but more than an ocean separates them. Everything has changed since the last time they met. CAN THEY STILL KEEP THEIR WORD? So, when newly single Fin reappears, there's no way they can keep their promise. Is there? Readers have fallen for Emily Houghton's brilliant rom-coms: ***** 'An absolute joy and a love story about falling in love and allowing yourself to be loved.' ***** 'A funny, heart-wrenching and beautiful love story. Absolutely loved it.' ***** 'Beautifully written with characters that have such great depth.' © Emily Houghton 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Emily Houghton (Author), Carla Harrison-Hodge, Rory Alexander (Narrator)

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God is Dead: The Rise and Fall of Frank Vandenbroucke, Cycling's Great Wasted Talent

Brought to you by Penguin. The remarkable untold story of the mercurial cycling prodigy Frank Vandenbroucke, written by William Hill award-winning author Andy McGrath. They called him God. For his grace on a bicycle, for his divine talent, for his heavenly looks. Frank Vandenbroucke had it all, and in the late Nineties he raced with dazzling speed and lived even faster. The Belgian won several of cycling's most illustrious races, including Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Paris-Nice and Ghent-Wevelgem. He was a mix of poise and panache who enthralled a generation of cycling fans. Off the bike, he only had one enemy - himself. Vandenbroucke dabbled in nocturnal party sessions mixing sleeping pills and alcohol and regularly fell out with team managers. By 1999 his team had suspended him and this proved to be the start of a long, eventful fall from grace. Depression, a drug ban, addiction, car crashes, divorce and countless court appearances subsumed his life. He threatened his wife with a gun. He tried to commit suicide twice. And when police found performance-enhancing drugs at his house, Vandenbroucke said they were for his dog. It seemed he had finally learned from his mistakes. Then, on 12 October 2009, aged just 34, Vandenbroucke was found dead in a hotel room in Senegal. Guided by exclusive contributions from his family, friends and team-mates, William Hill award-winning author Andy McGrath lays bare Vandenbroucke's chaotic, complicated life and times. God is Dead is the remarkable biography of this mercurial cycling prodigy. © Andy McGrath 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Andy Mcgrath (Author), Rory Alexander (Narrator)

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More Than a Game: Saving Football From Itself

Brought to you by Penguin. A top-to-bottom look at England's national game, from one of the UK's leading business economists. The Premier League is the most commercially successful football league in history, the self-proclaimed 'best league in the world'. But success has come at a cost, unbalancing the English game to a profound and damaging degree. Football's stumbling response to COVID-19 and the European Super League disaster are just the most recent examples. It is estimated that more than two thirds of the country's 92 professional clubs are loss-making; payments to agents each year regularly total more than the combined income of all 44 clubs in Leagues 1 and 2; supporters have been squeezed to the limit; racist incidents are on the rise; grassroots facilities are in a dreadful state; and failed World Cup bids have severely weakened England's standing in the global game. The national team's performance at Euro 2020 can't paper over the cracks. There is an alternative. In this revealing and eye-opening analysis, leading economist Mark Gregory reveals the breadth and depth of the problems facing our national men's game, and shows us a way to bring football home for good. © Mark Gregory 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Mark Gregory (Author), Rory Alexander (Narrator)

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Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through The Storm

Brought to you by Penguin. When we're not held in the grip of fear, we can truly embrace the gifts of life. Learn how to overcome the worries, insecurities and fears that hold you back in this perspective-shifting book. Drawing on his years of experience as a celebrated Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh shows that by mastering the practices of mindfulness you can learn to identify the sources of pain that cause fear and move past them to live a mindful and happy life. 'Thich Nhat Hanh does not merely teach peace; Thich Nhat Hanh is peace' Elizabeth Gilbert 'The monk who taught the world mindfulness' Time © Thich Nhat Hanh 2012 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Thich Nhat Hanh (Author), Rory Alexander (Narrator)

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Peace Is Every Breath: A Practice For Our Busy Lives

Brought to you by Penguin. Every moment is a gift of life. In the spirit of his bestseller The Miracle of Mindfulness, beloved Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh offers personal anecdotes, meditations and advice to help you mindfully connect with your present experience. With his signature warmth and clarity, he teaches us how to find inner peace and harness the joy that is possible in every breath. 'Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal inner peace and peace on earth' The Dalai Lama 'The monk who taught the world mindfulness' Time © Thich Nhat Hanh 2011 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Thich Nhat Hanh (Author), Rory Alexander (Narrator)

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Present Moment, Wonderful Moment

Brought to you by Penguin. Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor. Beloved Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh offers 79 meditations to help you through your daily routines in a peaceful and mindful way. This beautifully illustrated book shares a simple verse with an enlightening commentary that will give you the space and heart to live each day in a connected and calm way. 'Thich Nhat Hanh's work has proven to be the antidote to our modern pain and sorrows' Ocean Vuong 'The monk who taught the world mindfulness' Time © Thich Nhat Hanh 1993 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Thich Nhat Hanh (Author), Rory Alexander (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Rory Alexander