Asia

Bloomsbury presents The Anarchy by William Dalrymple, read by Sid Sagar. THE TOP 5 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S BEST BOOKS OF 2019 THE TIMES HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST FOR THE CUNDILL HISTORY PRIZE 2020 LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2019 A...

From the bestselling author of Kokoda and Gallipoli comes the epic story of Australia's deadliest Vietnam War battle. 4.31 pm: Enemy [on] left flank. Could be serious. 5.01 pm: Enemy ... penetrating both flanks and to north and south. 5.02: Running short of ammo. Require drop through trees. It...

The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400....

The definitive account of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, by best-selling author of Kokoda....

Few books have had such an impact as Wild Swans: a popular best seller and a critically acclaimed history of China that opened up the country to the world....

Paris, 1794. Revolutionary fervour has erupted into the Reign of Terror. A young man, Paul Courtney, hides in a crowd watching as condemned dignitaries have their sentences carried out. Among them is the Comtesse de Bercheny, Constance Courtney, Paul's mother....

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR, THE FINANCIAL TIMES, AND GQ “A radical new history of the United States abroad” (Wall Street Journal) which uncovers U.S. complicity in the mass-killings of left-wing activists in Indonesia, Latin America and around the world In 1965, the US...

Why did humans abandon hunting and gathering for sedentary communities dependent on livestock and cereal grains and governed by precursors of today's states? Find out....

A classic of Japanese history, this audiobook is the preeminent work on the history of Japan. Newly revised and updated, A History of Japan is a single-volume complete history of the nation of Japan. Starting in ancient Japan during its early pre-history period, A History of Japan covers every...

Lee, the founding father of modern Singapore and its prime minister from 1959 to 1990, has honed his wisdom during more than fifty years on the world stage....

In December 1937, in the capital of China, one of the most brutal massacres in the long annals of wartime barbarity occurred. The Japanese army swept into the ancient city of Nanking and within weeks not only looted and burned the defenseless city but systematically raped, tortured and murdered...

Colorful stories about and profound teachings of Patrul Rinpoche, one of the most impactful teachers and thinkers in the Tibetan tradition from the 19th century....

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...

Uncover the true story of the man who unified medieval Japan. For 700 years, Japan was ruled by military commanders who waged war against one another incessantly. Shogun tells the fascinating story of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man who finally unified and brought lasting peace to the nation. He...

Many consider the Battle of Midway to have turned the tide of the Pacific War. It is without question one of the most famous battles in history. Now, for the first time since Gordon W. Prange's best-selling Miracle at Midway, Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully offer a new interpretation of this...

Silk Silver Opium not only tells the fascinating stories of silk and tea, porcelain, silver and opium, missionaries, mercenaries and trade, but also what became inevitable – war and humiliation.

The first comprehensive and authoritative history of the Koh-i-Noor, arguably the most celebrated and mythologised jewel in the world....

A Brief History of Thailand offers an engaging look at the country's last 250 years - from coups and violent massacres to the invention of Pad Thai in the 1930s. Listeners will learn the vibrant story of Thailand's emergence as a prosperous Buddhist state, its transformation from traditional...

From one of China’s most acclaimed writers, his first work of nonfiction to appear in English: a unique, intimate look at the Chinese experience over the last several decades, told through personal stories and astute analysis that sharply illuminate the country’s meteoric economic and social...

A reappraisal of the tumultuous Partition and how it ignited long-standing animosities between India and Pakistan This new edition of Yasmin Khan's reappraisal of the tumultuous India-Pakistan Partition features an introduction reflecting on the latest research and on ways in which commemoration...

The military general who became Emperor Hirohito’s prime minister, Tojo Hideki is most often remembered as an iron-fisted leader who dragged Japan into World War II and—after spectacular losses—was eventually executed as a war criminal. Yet Tojo was far more than his ignominious end. In...

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...

Tokyo Junkie is a memoir that plays out over the dramatic 60-year growth of the megacity Tokyo, once a dark, fetid backwater and now the most populous, sophisticated, and safe urban capital in the world. Follow author Robert Whiting (The Chrysanthemum and the Bat, You Gotta Have Wa, Tokyo...

Indonesia is by far the largest nation in Southeast Asia and has the fourth-largest population in the world after the United States. Indonesian history and culture are especially relevant today as the island nation is an emerging power in the region with a dynamic new leader. It is a land of...

The story of the 16th-century’s epic contest for the spice trade, which propelled European maritime exploration and conquest across Asia and the Pacific.

'What is it that makes the history of the Second World War so compelling? Why are the Afflicted afflicted? With these chapters we hope to offer some idea of our approach to, and understanding of, the war, while never forgetting the tumult and terror that came with defeating tyranny. Maybe you...

The Japanese experience of war from the late-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century presents a stunning example of the meteoric rise and shattering fall of a great power. As Japan modernized and became the one non-European great power, its leaders concluded that an empire on the Asian mainland...

Uncover the rise and fall of a lost civilization that forged the cultural heartbeat of modern Southeast Asian history. Perfect for an educational commute, this immersive narrative transports you from remote frontier outposts to a flourishing royal center. Experience the sweeping epic of an...

Experience the epic Asian history of the imperial capital that anchored the Silk Road and transformed East-West trade. From scattered Neolithic settlements along the fertile Wei River to a monumental metropolis of emperors and merchants, this immersive narrative charts the rise and evolution of...

On a wooden board marked with a simple grid, two players take turns setting down smooth stones, one side black and the other white. There are no dice, no cards, and no hidden information. Each stone is identical to every other stone of its color, and once placed, a stone never moves again unless it is captured and lifted from the board. A player claims territory by surrounding empty points with stones, captures enemy stones by surrounding them, and at the end counts the ground held. That is nearly the whole of the game.

Step into ancient history and explore a breathtaking archaeological excavation that unearthed an underground empire. Perfect for an educational commute, this awe-inspiring narrative transports armchair travelers from a quiet 1970s farming village to the heart of a militaristic dynasty. Discover...

Trace the rise and fall of a dynasty in this epic history of the Central Asian warlords who conquered India. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive historical narrative transports you from the rugged passes of the Hindu Kush to the glittering courts of Delhi. Experience the fierce...

Japanese myths present a significant barrier to entry for Westerners. The primary sources are arcane, and their translations are not accessible to the non-specialist. Japanese deities (kami) have multiple, long names, and the myths exist in different and conflicting versions. Finally, the sheer...

Dive into the Cold War’s first brutal proxy conflict and understand the geopolitical shockwaves of a divided Asia. Perfect for a gripping morning commute or a focused afternoon of learning, this tense historical narrative brings a misunderstood global crisis vividly back to life. Feel the...

Ireland and India seem far apart, with apparently little in common in terms of culture, language, and tradition. Yet appearances can be deceiving: there are, in fact, remarkable similarities between the cultures that, once noticed, are impossible to ignore. They point to a shared kinship thousands of years ago that upends the concept of separation between Eastern and Western cultures.

There is no more urgent question in global affairs today: Can the United States and China find a way to coexist—or are they on a collision course that threatens the entire planet? In Darwin’s Lock, Joshua Cooper Ramo offers a brilliant new analysis of the most important geopolitical...

Discover the astonishing story of Mumbai, the city that never truly sleeps and never fully lets go of those who experience it. In What’s So Special About Mumbai?, travel writer Barnaby Sorrens takes listeners deep into the heart of India’s most electrifying metropolis, uncovering the history, energy, contradictions, beauty, and emotional intensity that make Mumbai unlike any city on Earth. This is not simply a travel guide filled with landmarks and tourist recommendations.

Uncover the dark history of ancient Chinese alchemy, where powerful emperors risked their empires for eternal life. Driven by a cosmological fear of death, these absolute rulers transformed the quest for longevity into a high-stakes political obsession. The royal courts became dangerous stages...

Experience the profound calm and iron discipline of historical Edo Japan in this immersive day-in-the-life meditation. Whether you are seeking a grounded escape during a stressful commute or searching for tranquil focus to wind down before sleep, step into the measured footsteps of a mid-ranking...

Face mortality with stoic calm and master mindfulness through the quiet philosophy of the medieval Japanese warrior. Whether you are navigating major life transitions or simply seeking peace in a chaotic world, this contemplative historical journey offers a sanctuary for reflection. Step away...

On August 9, 1945, an American B-29 dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, killing tens of thousands of people in the blink of an eye, while fatally injuring and poisoning thousands more. Among the survivors was Takashi Nagai, a pioneer in radiology research and a convert to the Catholic Faith. Living in the rubble of the ruined city and suffering from leukemia caused by over-exposure to radiation, Nagai lived out the remainder of his remarkable life by bringing physical and spiritual healing to his war-weary people.

Uncover the true historical reality of Japan’s female artists and working women in this immersive cultural history. Perfect for a contemplative evening commute or a relaxing weekend escape, this evocative journey walks you through the lantern-lit alleyways of traditional geisha districts...

Transported to ancient China as a conscript laborer, your gritty historical survival adventure begins on the frontier. Stripped of modern comforts and thrust into a brutal work camp, you face a relentless battle against harsh winds, thin gruel, and ruthless overseers. This immersive journey...

Experience the immersive micro-history of a peasant family's daily survival from dawn to dusk in ancient China. Perfect for unwinding after a long day or escaping during a tedious commute, this atmospheric narrative transports you far from the grand imperial courts. You will walk dirt village...

Step into pre-industrial rural Japan for an immersive historical journey through one grueling, beautiful agrarian day. Perfect for an evening wind-down or a mindful commute, this serene narrative transports you directly to the flooded paddies of a forgotten era. Feel the cool mud and hear the...

Step into the steamy bathhouses of feudal Japan to uncover a cultural history of Shinto purity and social hierarchy. Whether you are unwinding before sleep or transforming your daily commute into an educational journey, this atmospheric exploration immerses you in a society where water and heat...

Journey through the medical history of Ancient China, where spiritual rituals transformed into clinical healing science. Perfect for your commute, this immersive narrative transports you to smoky courtyards and imperial palaces where early healers battled disease and mortality. Experience the...

Explore the turbulent ancient history of a wandering philosopher whose moral ethics unified East Asian civilization. Perfect for your educational commute, this thought-provoking journey traces a belief system born amidst collapsing political order and relentless warfare. Immerse yourself in a...

Explore how ancient Eastern philosophy transformed social chaos into a profound framework for morality and politics. This thought-provoking journey traces the origins of a struggling ideology that evolved into the backbone of an empire. Perfect for focused listening during your daily commute...

Step onto the blood-soaked battlefields of feudal Japan to separate the brutal reality of the warrior elite from myth. This immersive historical journey is the perfect commute companion, transforming an everyday drive into an epic saga of clan warfare, political betrayal, and strict martial...