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.
SneakerKid
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook!
Trash Sling
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
The Shield Toronto
The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Lucky Martian
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
Indigo Red
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket – truly amazing! Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal – unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. 🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖 As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure!
Snow Cream
This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Microwave Chardonnay
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
Pigeon Woman
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. 🚗 Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures – audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! 🚗📖 The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable.
Hemlock
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Bleach
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. 🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around.
Spitfire
⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Danqqqqq
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Manly Reno
I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Sherm
🎶📚 Setting the mood with stories instead of songs – this app is my go-to playlist! 🎧🌟 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
Pepper Mouse
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Devine Melon
This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
SWAT Honey
Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Freesia
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Saint La-Z-Boy
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable.
Sapiens
Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful.
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