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The Japanese
- A History in Twenty Lives
- Narrated by: Christopher Harding
- Length: 16 hrs and 44 mins
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The Japanese
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Publisher's summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Chris Harding's enormously enjoyable new book distils Japan's long, complex and fascinating history into the stories of 20 remarkable individuals. These vivid and entertaining portraits take the listener from the earliest written accounts of Japan right through to the life of the current empress, Masako. We encounter shamans and warlords, poets and revolutionaries, scientists, artists and adventurers - each offering insights of their own into this extraordinary place.
For anyone new to Japan, this book is the ideal introduction. For anyone already deeply involved with it, this is a book filled with surprises and pleasures.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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great book ruined by ending
- By Grant Holder on 06-07-22
By: Matt Alt
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Underground
- The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche
- By: Haruki Murakami
- Narrated by: Feodor Chin, Ian Anthony Dale, Janet Song
- Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 300
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 271
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 270
On a clear spring day in 1995, five members of a religious cult unleashed poison gas on the Tokyo subway system. In attempt to discover why, Haruki Murakmi talks to the people who lived through the catastrophe, and in so doing lays bare the Japanese psyche. As he discerns the fundamental issues that led to the attack, Murakami paints a clear vision of an event that could occur anytime, anywhere.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Just as you breathe, you dream your story
- By Darwin8u on 08-26-15
By: Haruki Murakami
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The Book of Yokai
- Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore
- By: Michael Dylan Foster
- Narrated by: Tim Campbell
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 259
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 218
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 218
Drawing on years of research in Japan, Michael Dylan Foster unpacks the history and cultural context of yokai, tracing their roots, interpreting their meanings, and introducing people who have hunted them through the ages. In this delightful and accessible narrative, listeners will explore the roles played by these mysterious beings within Japanese culture and will also learn of their abundance and variety through detailed entries on more than 50 individual creatures.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Pt 2 was delightful (+no cringey pronunciations!!)
- By Julieanne on 06-04-19
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A History of Japan
- Revised Edition
- By: R. H. P. Mason, J. G. Caiger
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 257
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 228
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Story4 out of 5 stars 225
A classic of Japanese history, this audiobook is the preeminent work on the history of Japan. Newly revised and updated, A History of Japan is a single-volume complete history of the nation of Japan. Starting in ancient Japan during its early pre-history period, A History of Japan covers every important aspect of history and culture through feudal Japan to the post-Cold War period and collapse of the bubble economy in the early 1990s. Recent findings shed additional light on the origins of Japanese civilization and the birth of Japanese culture.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Content great - pronunciation not so much
- By A. Weber on 03-08-19
By: R. H. P. Mason, and others
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Japan
- A BBC Documentary Collection
- By: Christopher Harding, Alex Bellos, Rana Mitter, and others
- Narrated by: Various
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 3
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 2
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Story4 out of 5 stars 2
Japan is a land of complexity, contrast and contradictions. The world's third-largest economy, it is a powerhouse of innovation and a pioneer in technology, fashion and pop culture. But it also has a rich, ancient heritage and a deep reverence for custom, ritual and tradition. This illuminating two-part radio collection traverses the different aspects of this fascinating country, from its famous historical figures to its diverse cultural landscape.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Very insightful for various aspects of Japanese culture
- By Brendan Lee Morgan on 08-20-22
By: Christopher Harding, and others
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Germany, 1923
- Hyperinflation, Hitler's Pusch and Democracy in Crisis
- By: Volker Ullrich, Jefferson Chase - translator
- Narrated by: Christopher Douyard
- Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 10
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 10
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Story5 out of 5 stars 10
The great Austrian writer Stefan Zweig confided in his autobiography: “I have a pretty thorough knowledge of history, but never, to my recollection, has it produced such madness in such gigantic proportions.” He was referring to Germany in 1923, a “year of lunacy,” defined by hyperinflation, violence, a political system on the verge of collapse, the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, and separatist movements threatening to rip apart the German nation. Bestselling author Volker Ullrich presents a riveting chronicle of one of the most difficult years any modern democracy has ever faced.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Interesting read about economics
- By molliet on 11-01-23
By: Volker Ullrich, and others
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The Pillow Book
- By: Sei Shōnagon
- Narrated by: Georgina Sutton
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 24
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 22
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 22
The Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon is a fascinating, detailed account of Japanese court life in the closing years of the 10th century. Written by a lady of the court at the height of Heian culture, this book enthrals with its lively gossip, witty observations and subtle impressions. Lady Shōnagon was an erstwhile rival of Lady Murasaki, whose novel, The Tale of Genji, fictionalized the elite world Lady Shōnagon so eloquently relates.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Exquisite. Truly!
- By Erick DuPree on 01-10-23
By: Sei Shōnagon
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Learn Japanese with Paul Noble for Beginners – Complete Course
- Japanese Made Easy with Your Personal Language Coach
- By: Paul Noble
- Narrated by: Paul Noble
- Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 172
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 140
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 135
With Paul Noble’s simple, relaxed approach, you will learn in a way that suits you—without having to memorise long lists of words you won’t use; scribbling notes as you listen; or feeling frustrated. Instead, Paul will introduce you to the basics of Japanese and guide you through over 15 hours of everyday scenarios—from simple situations like asking for directions and eating out to talking about yourself and how to master the different tenses—that are practical, fun and applicable. Just listen, interact and learn wherever you are.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Great price - great content
- By Ludi on 07-25-21
By: Paul Noble
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Bending Adversity
- Japan and the Art of Survival
- By: David Pilling
- Narrated by: Tim Andes Pabon
- Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 66
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 57
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 56
In Bending Adversity, Financial Times Asia editor David Pilling presents a fresh vision of Japan, drawing on his own deep experience, as well as observations from a cross section of Japanese citizenry, including novelist Haruki Murakami, former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, industrialists and bankers, activists and artists, teenagers and octogenarians. Through their voices, Pilling captures the dynamism and diversity of contemporary Japan.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Good book, but terribly read
- By Kallan Resnick on 10-24-14
By: David Pilling
What listeners say about The Japanese
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JK
- 06-10-24
ENJOYABLE
I am surprised that there are no reviews of this book.
I have studied Japan and its history extensively and this book adds much to my knowledge.
The author talks about so many aspects of Japanese life and history.
An interesting fact, how Buddhism plays a role in Japanese life and philosophy.
In studying Buddhism, I was aware of this, but having it mentioned in a detailed fashion is refreshing.
The author as the narrator does an excellent job.
His book “The light of Asia”, a history of Western fascination with the East is next on my program.
My thanks to all involved, JK.
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