Asia Audiobooks | Travel

Korean War: A Captivating Guide to Korean War History

Explore how the Korean War started, the aftermath, and the events in between! The narrative of the Korean War in the West, and particularly in the United States, tells the tale of a conflict between two global superpowers and competing ideologies in a far-flung corner of the globe. The reality is that the wheels of motion that drove the country to war in 1950 began turning long before American boots set foot on Korean soil. The heart of the conflict was a civil war between a population arbitrarily divided by colonization and the global geopolitics at the end of the Second World War. Challenging the widely perpetuated Western narrative and getting to the core of the Korean conflict is no easy feat. From assumptions that the outbreak of war was a deliberate act of communist aggression, to the notion that Eisenhower and Truman's constant threats of atomic annihilation broke the Chinese and North Korean spirit and led to the signing of the armistice, everything needs to be dissected and reviewed on its own factual merit to fully understand the nature of the war. This guide seeks to pull this narrative curtain and peek behind at the truth of the matter, tracing the history of the war back to the Japanese occupation and uncovering the root of Korean nationalism that stirred the nation into the frenzy of civil war in 1950. Some of the topics covered in this audiobook include: - The Japanese Ascendency: 1910-1945 - A Korea Divided: The US Occupation of the South - The Forging of the North Korean State - First Blood: The Outbreak of War - Strike Hard and Strike Fast: The US Retreat - Bittersweet Victories: American Revival and China's Decision to Cross the Yalu - How Do You Solve a Problem Like China? - The Bloody Ceasefire and Looming Bomb - The Legacy of the Korean War - And more Listen now to learn more about the Korean War.

Captivating History (Author), Duke Holm (Narrator)

Audiobook

Korean Mythology: A Concise Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Sagas, Rituals and Beliefs of Korean Myths

This book is dedicated to exploring the gods and goddesses that the Koreans of old worshiped, and within it, you will find more information about: Strange creatures from Korean mythology The Korean mythology of Tangu and AhriGods and goddesses, and their background stories, from Korean mythology Supernatural powers, relationships, and dramatic legends Persisting values from Korean mythology that are present today Korean mythology is intricate, complex, and the ideals behind some of their mythological beliefs were often intertwined with real-life events. This book will examine how both myth and fact contributed to the culture and traditions of the Koreans, and how these influences and some stories continue to live on throughout the centuries.

Bernard Hayes (Author), Gareth Johnson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Korea: The Impossible Country: South Korea's Amazing Rise from the Ashes: The Inside Story of an Eco

South Korea's amazing rise from the ashes: the inside story of an economic, political, and cultural phenomenon Long overshadowed by Japan and China, South Korea is a small country that happens to be one of the great national success stories of the postwar period. From a failed state with no democratic tradition, ruined and partitioned by war, and sapped by a half-century of colonial rule, South Korea transformed itself in just fifty years into an economic powerhouse and a democracy that serves as a model for other countries. With no natural resources and a tradition of authoritarian rule, Korea managed to accomplish a second Asian miracle. Daniel Tudor is a journalist who has lived in and written about Korea for almost a decade. In Korea: The Impossible Country, Tudor examines Korea's cultural foundations; the Korean character; the public sphere in politics, business, and the workplace as well as the family, dating, and marriage. In doing so, he touches on topics as diverse as shamanism, clan-ism, the dilemma posed by North Korea, the myths about doing business in Korea, the Koreans' renowned hard-partying ethos, and why the infatuation with learning English is now causing massive social problems. South Korea has undergone two miracles at once: economic development and complete democratization. The question now is, will it become as some see Japan, a prosperous yet aging society, devoid of energy and momentum? Or will the dynamism of Korean society and its willingness to change-as well as the opportunity it has now to welcome outsiders into its fold-enable it to experience a third miracle that will propel it into the ranks of the world's leading nations regarding human culture, democracy, and wealth?

Daniel Tudor (Author), James Cameron Stewart (Narrator)

Audiobook

Korea: A Very Short Introduction

Having spent centuries in the shadows of its neighbors China and Japan, Korea is now the object of considerable interest for radically different reasons-the South as an economic success story and for its vibrant popular culture; the North as the home to one of the world's most repressive regimes, at once both bizarre and menacing. Korea: A Very Short Introduction explores the history, culture, and society of a deeply divided region. Michael Seth considers what it means to be Korean, and analyzes how the various peoples of the Korean peninsula became one of the world's most homogeneous nations, before exploring how this nation evolved, in a single lifetime, into today's sharply contrasting societies. He also discusses how Korea fits into the larger narrative of both East Asian and world history, economically, politically, and socially.

Michael J. Seth (Author), Paul Heitsch (Narrator)

Audiobook

Korea: A New History of South and North

A major new history of North and South Korea, from the late nineteenth century to the present day Korea has a long, riveting history-it is also a divided nation. South Korea is a vibrant democracy, the tenth largest economy, and is home to a world-renowned culture. North Korea is ruled by the most authoritarian regime in the world, a poor country in a rich region, and is best known for the cult of personality surrounding the ruling Kim family. But both Koreas share a unique common history. Victor Cha and Ramon Pacheco Pardo draw on decades of research to explore the history of modern Korea, from the late nineteenth century, Japanese occupation, and Cold War division to the present day. A small country caught amongst the world's largest powers-including China, Japan, Russia, and the United States-Korea's fate has been closely connected to its geography and the strength of its leadership and society. This comprehensive history sheds light on the evolving identities of the two Koreas, explaining the sharp differences between North and South, and prospects for unification.

Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Victor Cha (Author), Julian Elfer (Narrator)

Audiobook

Kingdom of Characters: A Tale of Language, Obsession, and Genius in Modern China

Brought to you by Penguin. A riveting, masterfully researched account of the bold innovators who adapted the Chinese language to the modern world, transforming China into a super-power in the process What does it take to reinvent the world's oldest living language? China today is one of the world's most powerful nations, yet just a century ago it was a crumbling empire with literacy reserved for the elite few, left behind in the wake of Western technology. In Kingdom of Characters, Jing Tsu shows that China's most daunting challenge was a linguistic one: to make the formidable Chinese language - a 2,200-year-old writing system that was daunting to natives and foreigners alike - accessible to a globalised, digital world. Kingdom of Characters follows the bold innovators who adapted the Chinese script - and the value-system it represents - to the technological advances that would shape the 20th century and beyond, from the telegram to the typewriter to the smartphone. From the exiled reformer who risked death to advocate for Mandarin as a national language to the imprisoned computer engineer who devised input codes for Chinese characters on the lid of a teacup, generations of scholars, missionaries, librarians, politicians, inventors, nationalists and revolutionaries alike understood the urgency of their task and its world-shaping consequences. With larger-than-life characters and a thrilling narrative, Kingdom of Characters offers an astonishingly original perspective on one of the 20th century's most dramatic transformations. © Jing Tsu 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Jing Tsu (Author), Jing Tsu (Narrator)

Audiobook

Kidnapped in London

Prepare to be captivated by a literary gem penned by the revered Dr. Sun Yat-sen himself - 'Kidnapped in London.' Immerse yourself in the thrilling narrative crafted by one of history's most prominent figures. In this gripping tale, Dr. Sun Yat-sen intricately weaves a suspenseful adventure set amidst the bustling streets of London. Follow the compelling journey of our protagonist, navigating through unexpected twists, daring escapades, and a tapestry of suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The digital audiobook version of 'Kidnapped in London,' narrated with eloquence and precision, invites you to experience Dr. Sun Yat-sen's literary prowess in a whole new dimension. Through vivid storytelling and compelling character portrayals, this rendition brings the narrative to life, ensuring an immersive and unforgettable listening experience.

Sun Yat-Sen (Author), Matthew Mcnaughton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Kashmir: History of Its Causes and Consequences

Kashmir is the Indian subcontinent's northern most geographical area. It is quite different from the rest of India. And till the mid-nineteenth century, 'Kashmir' only described the Kashmir Valley, which lies between the Great Mountain Ranges and the Pir Panjal Variety. Today, the word describes the Indian-controlled parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and also the Pakistani-controlled terrain of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Chinese-controlled areas of Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram System. The Kashmir area ended up being a crucial center of Hinduism and later Buddhism in the first centuries, while Kashmir Shaivism developed later, in the ninth century. This is why so many people attribute significant spiritual meaning to the area. It is no wonder, therefore, that some travelers go to this specific area for spiritual purposes. In this book, we will explore the history of Kashmir, its significance, and the current circumstances.

Kelly Mass (Author), Doug Greene (Narrator)

Audiobook

Kalibangan: The History of the Indus Valley Civilization's Provincial Capital in Ancient India

When one thinks of the world's first cities, Sumer, Memphis, and Babylon are some of the first to come to mind. If the focus then shifts to India, then Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro will undoubtedly come up, but after that, India's other ancient cities are often overlooked. This is unfortunate since India's oldest civilization, known as the Indus Valley Civilization or the Harappan Civilization, was contemporary with ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt and had extensive contacts with the former, which makes it one of the most important early world civilizations. Spread out along the rivers of the Indus River Valley, hundreds of settlements began forming around 3300 BCE, eventually coalescing into a society that had all of the hallmarks of a true civilization, including writing, well-developed cities, a complex social structure and long-distance trade. Archaeological work at Kalibangan has also shown that although it followed some of the patterns of larger Indus cities such as Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, it was also a unique city in many ways. Kalibangan was located on a different river from the other major Indus Valley Civilization cities, and its river suffered a fate that led to the end of the city. The city of Kalibangan also presented modern archaeologists with a treasure trove of findings because it was one of the best preserved Harappan sites, giving scholars a chance to see not only how the people of Kalibangan lived, but possibly how the city died.

Charles River Editors (Author), Scott Clem (Narrator)

Audiobook

K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry Into Why We Love Korean Television

From the Emmy Award-winning Squid Game to streaming sensations like The Glory and Crash Landing on You, Korean television has emerged onto the global pop culture scene as compelling television-but what exactly makes these shows so irresistibly bingeable? And what can we learn about our societies and ourselves from watching them? From stand-up comedian and media studies PhD Grace Jung comes a rollicking deep dive into the cultural significance of Korean television. K-Drama School analyzes everything from common tropes like amnesia and slapping to conspicuous product placements of Subway sandwiches and coffee; to representations of disability, race and gender; to what Korea's war-torn history says about South Korea's media output and the stories being told on screen. With chapters organized by "lessons," each one inquiring into a different theme of Korean television, K-Drama School offers a groundbreaking exploration into this singular form of entertainment, from an author who writes with humor and heart about shows that spur tears and laughter, keeping us glued to the TV while making fans of us all. Shows discussed include: Squid Game, SKY Castle, Crash Course in Romance, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, My Mister, Something in the Rain, One Spring Night, DP, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Autumn in My Heart, Winter Sonata, Our Blues, and more.

Grace Jung (Author), Grace Jung, TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Just Another Day in Vietnam

Uniquely adopting a third-person omniscient point of view, Nightingale eschews the 'I' of memoir in favor of multiple perspectives and a larger historical vision that afford equal time and weight to ally and enemy alike. Examples of the many perspectives based on real-life characters include: Hu, a VC 'informant' whose false information led the Rangers straight into the jaws of a ferocious ambush; General Tanh, the COSVN commander; Major Nguyen Hiep, the 52d Ranger Commander; and Ranger POWs later returned by the North. Nightingale moreover offers the point of view of an American advisor to elite Vietnamese troops, a vital perspective regrettably underrepresented in the literature of Vietnam, including Burns's documentary. Added to this are well-informed conjecture of enemy psychology; insight into the dedication and often misunderstood role of the elite Vietnamese Ranger forces; the intelligence acquired from debriefing captured Rangers, whose captors had told them that the entire battle had been a carefully staged attack planned by COSVN as part of a larger Total War strategy developed by the leadership of the North Vietnamese Army; and an eyewitness account by a gifted author who is a rare survivor of one of the most vicious-and heretofore forgotten-battles of the war.

Col (ret) Keith M. Nightingale (Author), David De Vries (Narrator)

Audiobook

Just Americans: How Japanese Americans Won a War at Home and Abroad

Robert Asahina (Author), Patrick Lawlor (Narrator)

Audiobook

Asia Audiobooks in Travel