Asia Audiobooks | History

Pisces Moon: The Dark Arts of Empire Audiobook

Pisces Moon: The Dark Arts of Empire is a sweeping critical analysis of Western colonialism, its foundational beliefs in militarism, patriarchy, Christianity, and white supremacy; and its destructive impact on the nations of Southeast Asia and, ultimately, America. Valentine focuses on the “dark arts” of empire: the black bag of CIA covert operations, including bribery, right-wing coups, assassinations, disinformation, and intimate relationships with drug, sex, and artifact traffickers. He pays especially close attention to the CIA’s use of psychological warfare to play upon the beliefs of people to shape their political and social movements. Pisces Moon shines a light on the central role played by missionaries, academics, writers, and filmmakers in assisting and promoting Western imperialism. In the mid-1990s, based on his book The Phoenix Program, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) hired Valentine as a consultant to a documentary series it was making about the CIA’s activities in South Vietnam. Valentine embarked for London in February 1991 as the sun was about to enter Pisces, the astrological sign which rules deception, espionage, foreign things, prisons, and religion. The month-long trip began with five days in London, where Valentine was asked to carry ten thousand dollars in cash to the BBC crew in Vietnam. After a memorable week in Vietnam, Valentine spent two weeks traveling around Thailand interviewing expat CIA officers for his books on CIA drug smuggling. Unique in every respect, Pisces Moon features many prominent, historically significant CIA officers with whom he has interacted with while conducting his original research. Throughout the narrative, Pisces Moon explains how decades of propaganda and disinformation directed against them by war planners, religious leaders, and corporate institutions have made it nearly impossible for Americans to distinguish fact from fiction; a descent into mass delusion that William Burroughs called “the backlash and bad karma of empire.”Pisces Moon: The Dark Arts of Empire will grab you from the beginning and won’t let go.

Douglas Valentine (Author), Stefan Rudnicki (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mongolian History: History of Mongolia and the Life of Genghis Khan

Are you curious about the untold story of Mongolia? This book is a comprehensive guide to the country's fascinating past, from the first nomadic tribes to the modern era. With meticulous research and expert analysis, this book sheds light on the little-known aspects of Mongolian history, including the role of women, the influence of religion and shamanism, and the impact of Mongolian culture on the world. You'll learn about the country's epic battles, its political intrigue, and its vibrant cultural traditions. - Journey back in time and witness the rise of the Mongol Empire under the visionary leadership of Genghis Khan, as he united warring tribes and transformed them into a powerful military force that conquered much of the known world. - Witness the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty in China under the rule of Kublai Khan, which marked a new era of cultural exchange and innovation between China and Mongolia. - Experience the legendary Battle of Khalkhyn Gol, where Soviet and Mongolian forces decisively defeated invading Japanese troops in a fierce battle that helped to shape the outcome of World War II in the Pacific theater. This is not just a book – it's a journey of discovery. - By the time you finish reading, you'll have a deep understanding and appreciation of one of the world's most unique and resilient countries. Order your copy today and uncover the untold story of Mongolia.

Secrets Of History, Will Forrest (Author), Will Forrest (Narrator)

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CAMBODIA: Cambodia´s History - A Comprehensive Guide to the History of Cambodia and Its People

For anyone seeking a gripping tale of triumph and tragedy, this is the book for you. This epic book of the Cambodian nation takes you on a journey through time. From the glorious days of the Khmer Empire to the darkest hours of the 20th century. - Follow the rise and fall of powerful kings and queens, and witness the artistic and cultural achievements of the Khmer civilization. - Discover the horrors of war and genocide, as Cambodians endure unimaginable suffering and loss. - Witness the resilience and determination of the Cambodian people, as they rebuild and forge a new path forward. You'll learn about the artistic and cultural triumphs of the Khmer Empire during the Angkor era, as well as the devastating consequences of the Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot, responsible for the deaths of millions of people. This book offers a comprehensive and captivating insight into Cambodia's complex and fascinating past. Whether you're a lover of history, a student of geopolitics, or simply seeking a powerful story, This book about the History of Cambodia will leave you spellbound!

History Retold (Author), Dean Ericson (Narrator)

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The Mongolian Empire: A Mongolian History Book of Warriors and Conquerors

Are you ready to experience the epic history of Mongolia? Be prepared for a captivating journey through time, exploring the country's rise from the vast steppes to the world stage. With engaging storytelling, this book takes you on a journey through the legendary tales of Genghis Khan, the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire, and the enduring legacy of a people shaped by their fierce spirit and unique way of life. You'll witness the struggles and triumphs of a nation that rose from obscurity to become a world power. - Explore the legendary rise of the Mongol Empire and its incredible conquests across Asia and Europe. - Uncover the surprising and little-known aspects of Mongolian history, from the country's political intrigue to its influence on global culture - Learn about the struggles and triumphs of the Mongol people, from the fierce spirit of Genghis Khan to the decline of the empire This is not just a book – it's an adventure. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a great read, this book has something for everyone. Order your copy today and experience the epic history of Mongolia for yourself.

History Retold (Author), Dean Ericson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Cambodia Through the Ages: A Comprehensive Guide to the Kingdom’s History

Embark on an Enthralling Journey Through the Rich History of Cambodia! Dive into the captivating story of a nation that has overcome adversity and shaped its unique cultural identity. This must-read book will open your eyes to the fascinating history of Cambodia through: - Ancient Kingdoms: Explore the rise and fall of powerful empires that once ruled the region, leaving behind architectural marvels. - Religion and Culture: Discover how Hinduism and Buddhism have shaped Cambodia's society, art, and monuments. - Colonial Era: Unravel the complex relationship between Cambodia and European powers, and how it impacted the nation's destiny. - Khmer Rouge and Beyond: Gain insights into the dark period of Cambodian history, and how the country has strived to heal and rebuild since then. - Modern Cambodia: Understand the challenges and successes of contemporary Cambodia as it finds its place in today's world. · From the glorious days of the Khmer Empire to the harrowing period under the Khmer Rouge, every chapter unveils a new layer of Cambodia's multifaceted past. As you read, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and determination that have propelled the country forward, despite the many challenges it has faced. · Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply curious about Cambodia, this book is an essential addition to your collection. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the fascinating journey of a nation that has triumphed over adversity and continues to forge its unique destiny. Don't Wait! Uncover the captivating history of Cambodia and be inspired by its incredible story of resilience. So grab your copy of this must-read book Today!

Secrets Of History, Will Forrest (Author), Will Forrest (Narrator)

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Overreach: How China Derailed Its Peaceful Rise

For three decades after Mao's death in 1976, China's leaders adopted a restrained approach to foreign policy. To facilitate the country's inexorable economic ascendance, and to prevent a backlash, they reassured the outside world of China's peaceful intentions. Then, as Susan Shirk shows, something changed. China went from fragile superpower to global heavyweight. Combining her decades of research and experience, Shirk, one of the world's most respected experts on Chinese politics, argues that we are now fully embroiled in a new cold war. As she shows, the shift toward confrontation began in the mid-2000s under the mild-mannered Hu Jintao. When Xi Jinping took power in 2012, he capitalized on widespread official corruption and open splits in the leadership to make the case for more concentrated power at the top. Those who implement Xi's directives compete to outdo one another, provoking an even greater global backlash and stoking jingoism within China on a scale not seen since the Cultural Revolution. Here is a devastatingly lucid portrait of China today. Understanding the domestic roots of China's actions will enable us to avoid the mistakes that could lead to war.

Susan L. Shirk (Author), Teri Schnaubelt (Narrator)

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Empire, Incorporated: The Corporations That Built British Colonialism

Across four centuries, British colonialism was above all the business of corporations. Corporations conceived, promoted, financed, and governed overseas expansion, making claims over territory and peoples while ensuring that British and colonial society were invested, quite literally, in their ventures. Colonial companies were also relentlessly controversial, frequently in debt, and prone to failure. The corporation was well-suited to overseas expansion not because it was an inevitable juggernaut but because it was an elusive contradiction: public and private; person and society; subordinate and autonomous; centralized and diffuse; immortal and precarious; national and cosmopolitan-a legal fiction with very real power. Breaking from traditional histories in which corporations take a supporting role by doing the dirty work of sovereign states in exchange for commercial monopolies, Philip Stern argues that corporations took the lead in global expansion and administration. As Empire, Incorporated makes clear, venture colonialism did not cease with the end of empire. Challenging conventional wisdom about where power is held on a global scale, Stern complicates the supposedly firm distinction between private enterprise and the state, offering a new history of the British Empire, as well as a new history of the corporation.

Philip J. Stern (Author), Rick Adamson (Narrator)

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Spirit Voices: The Mysteries and Magic of North Asian Shamanism

A guide to authentic North Asian Shamanism, past and present The word shamanism is frequently bandied about but rarely used accurately. Shamanologist Nicholas Breeze Wood coined the following definition: 'A shaman is someone chose by the spirits [typically at/before birth] and who can go into a controlled and repeatable deliberate trance state, during which they: A) experience 'spirit flight,' where they go to meet the spirit worlds and meet spirits, who they either fight with, negotiate with, or trick, in order to create change in this physical world, or B) are often taken over/possessed by the spirits (normally ancestral shaman spirits, or local land spirits) while in this physical world-the spirits using the shaman's voice and body to heal, or give advice to members of the shaman's community. Without the spirits, and their blessing, a shaman can not exist or function. Without the trance state, it is not shamanism.' Author David Shi, for whom these are family traditions, explores the history and practice of shamanism. What is it? Where is it from? How does one become a shaman? Shi guides listeners through unfamiliar territory-the landscape of North Asia-and through what are largely hidden and unfamiliar traditions. Spirit Voices takes and in-depth look at three main cultural shamanic traditions: Turkic, Mongolic, and Tungus.

David Shi (Author), David Lee Huynh (Narrator)

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The Philippines Campaigns of World War II: The History of the Japanese Invasion in 1941-1942 and the

I came through and I shall return.' - General Douglas MacArthur Those who had decoded and seen the Japanese communications in early December 1941 would not be surprised when they heard about an attack on December 7, 1941. They would, however, be astonished when they heard where that attack took place. Posted on the other side of the world, it was early on the morning of December 8 in the Philippines when American general Douglas MacArthur received news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor hours earlier. With that, it could only be a matter of time before the Japanese attacked the Philippines. Although MacArthur and Allied forces tried to hold out, they could only fight a delaying action, and the Japanese managed to subdue all resistance by the spring of 1942. In the wake of the 1941-1942 campaign, Japan occupied the country and went on to expand their territory in the Pacific, while at the same time destroying the American presence in that region, but by the spring of 1943, American military planners had begun to create a plan to dislodge Japan from east and southeast Asia. To do so, parts of the Philippines were considered main strategic points in the potential Allied attack in the Pacific. The end goal of the Allied plan was an invasion of the Japanese home islands, in which heavy aerial bombardment would precede a ground assault. In order for this to occur, Allied forces would have to occupy areas surrounding Japan. By the time the campaign started, Japan was on the defensive, but as they would prove in other places like Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Japanese soldiers would act fanatically before admitting defeat or surrendering. During this second major Philippines campaign, an estimated 330,000 Japanese died, and only a bit more than 10,000 were willing to be taken prisoner.

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

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The Ancient Indus Valley Civilization’s Biggest Cities: The History and Legacy of Mohenjo-daro, Hara

When one thinks of the world’s first cities, Sumer, Memphis, and Babylon are some of the first to come to mind, but if the focus then shifts to India, then Harappa and Mohenjo-daro will likely come up. These cities owe their existence to India’s oldest civilization, known as the Indus Valley Civilization or the Harappan Civilization, which was contemporary with ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt and had extensive contacts with the former, making it one of the most important early civilizations in the world. 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. Mohenjo-daro was the largest city of the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the most advanced civilizations to have ever existed, and the best-known and most ancient prehistoric urban site on the Indian subcontinent. It was a metropolis of great cultural, economic, and political importance that dates from the beginning of the 3rd millennium BCE. Although it primarily flourished between approximately 2500 and 1500 BCE, the city had longer lasting influences on the urbanization of the Indian subcontinent for centuries after its abandonment. It is believed to have been one of two capital cities of the Indus Civilization, its twin being Harappa located further north in Punjab, Pakistan. Kalibangan was unknown to the modern world until archaeologists began uncovering its secrets in excavations during the 1960s. 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.

Charles River Editors (Author), Michelle Humphries (Narrator)

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The Problem of China

'The Problem of China' by Bertrand Russell is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the social, political, and cultural challenges facing China during the early 20th century. Russell delves into the complexities of Chinese society, examining its historical context and the impact of Western influences on its development. In this book, Russell examines China's struggle to reconcile its rich cultural heritage with the pressures of modernization and foreign intervention. He delves into various topics, including the conflict between traditional values and the need for progress, the role of education in shaping Chinese society, and the impact of imperialism on China's political and economic landscape. Read in English, unabridged.

Bertrand Russell (Author), George Easton (Narrator)

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The Last Heroes: Foot Soldiers of Indian Freedom

'So who really spearheaded India's Freedom Struggle? Millions of ordinary people-farmers, labourers, homemakers, forest produce gatherers, artisans and others-stood up to the British. People who never went on to be ministers, governors, presidents, or hold other high public office. They had this in common: their opposition to Empire was uncompromising. In The Last Heroes, these footsoldiers of Indian freedom tell us their stories. The men, women and children featured in this book are Adivasis, Dalits, OBCs, Brahmins, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus. They hail from different regions, speak different languages and include atheists and believers, Leftists, Gandhians and Ambedkarites. The people featured pose the intriguing question: What is freedom? They saw that as going beyond Independence. And almost all of them continued their fight for freedoms long after 1947. The post-1947 generations need their stories. To learn what they understood. That freedom and independence are not the same thing. And to learn to make those come together.

P. Sainath (Author), Derek Denzil (Narrator)

Audiobook

Asia Audiobooks in History