Book description
PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST A New York Times Notable Book of 2022 What does it take to reinvent a language? After a meteoric rise, China today is one of the world's most powerful nations. Just a century ago, it was a crumbling empire with literacy reserved for the elite few, as the world underwent a massive technological transformation that threatened to leave them behind. In Kingdom of Characters, Jing Tsu argues that China's most daunting challenge was a linguistic one: the century-long fight to make the formidable Chinese language accessible to the modern world of global trade and digital technology. Kingdom of Characters follows the bold innovators who reinvented the Chinese language, among them an exiled reformer who risked a death sentence to advocate for Mandarin as a national language, a Chinese-Muslim poet who laid the groundwork for Chairman Mao's phonetic writing system, and a computer engineer who devised input codes for Chinese characters on the lid of a teacup from the floor of a jail cell. Without their advances, China might never have become the dominating force we know today. With larger-than-life characters and an unexpected perspective on the major events of China's tumultuous twentieth century, Tsu reveals how language is both a technology to be perfected and a subtle, yet potent, power to be exercised and expanded.
SereneScribe
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ
NexusNomad
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π
Hella Fella
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience.
Plum Moon
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Find It Girl
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward β thank you, app! Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Moonflower
This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
Opulent Gamer
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights β I'm never without a good story. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery.
Mr. 44
βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
Sexual Chocolate
π‘ This app has made my daily schedule more interesting β 'reading' on the go! π±πΆββοΈ The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Papa Smurf
Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
The Happy Jock
I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Freesia
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine β it's my ultimate audio companion. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ
57 Pixels
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
WanderWord
I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Legacy
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest!
JK Friend
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Mr. 44
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising β thanks to this app! This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. π±π The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Kazmii
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate β it's like they know my taste perfectly! I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
LerveDr
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB.
ThreadTrail
Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. π§π± ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience