Book description
Checkers, backgammon, chess, and Go. Poker, Scrabble, and bridge. These seven games, ancient and modern, fascinate millions of people worldwide. In Seven Games, Oliver Roeder charts their origins and historical importance, the delightful arcana of their rules, and the ways their design makes them pleasurable.Roeder introduces thrilling competitors, such as evangelical minister Marion Tinsley, who across forty years lost only three games of checkers; Shusai, the Master, the last Go champion of imperial Japan, defending tradition against "modern rationalism"; and an IBM engineer who created a backgammon program so capable at self-learning that NASA used it on the space shuttle. He delves into the history and lore of each game: backgammon boards in ancient Egypt, the Indian origins of chess, how certain shells from a particular beach in Japan make the finest white Go stones.Beyond the cultural and personal stories, Roeder explores why games, seemingly trivial pastimes, speak so deeply to the human soul. He introduces an early philosopher of games, the aptly named Bernard Suits, and visits an Oxford cosmologist who has perfected a computer that can effectively play bridge, a game as complicated as human language itself.Throughout, Roeder tells the compelling story of how humans, pursuing scientific glory and competitive advantage, have invented AI programs better than any human player, and what that means for the games--and for us. Funny, fascinating, and profound, Seven Games is a story of obsession, psychology, history, and how play makes us human.
Red Heroine
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iβm in the story. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Free Ham
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable.
Atomic Blastoid
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Heavenly Connection
Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge.
MrOnsTr
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Reno Monarch
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Old Orange Eyes
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ManBreaker
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
CoB@lt
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
Old Regret
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Essex
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§ Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Pixie
πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Cool Law Topping
I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination.
InsightInkwell
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§
Backstreet
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption.
Shimmy Shammy
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
IceDog
Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Rummy Stickers
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
PixelPioneer
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Impulse
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use.
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