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.
Third Moon
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Wild Kitten
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Texas Butterfly
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Spit Turanga
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TulipCake
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Kevlar Wanted
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Trixie
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GiddeeUP
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Mr. Spy
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Cabbie
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
Trigger Warming
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Leaf Assassin
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys โ this app's ease of use is a delight. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Devil Chick
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed โ it's my form of meditation. Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education.
Pigeon Woman
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Guncap Slingbad
I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Helmet Destroyer
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1st Degree
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Thrasher
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Jetta Talent
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
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