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.
Nessie Pork
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. βοΈ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time β multitasking made easy! π§ π§ ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before.
Red Hot Kevorkian
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
StarStrider
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Airport Hobo
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Cosmo
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Cuff Queen
π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. 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!
Muzish
The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Spit Turanga
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Grave Digger
Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver. 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!
MuseMaster
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience.
Orange Teflon
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Chlorine
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience.
CommandX
π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Grabber
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Storm Master
ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
BearDrift
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app.
Evil Smith
πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Lil Rebel Ma
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Jade Fox
No more worries about compatibility β ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π
Disco Potato
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
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