http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39180
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39735
After failing a civil service exam and reading a Christian pamphlet, Hong Xiu-quan has a mental break-down. When he comes to, he realizes he is Jesus' younger brother sent to earth to slay the demon Confucius. His cult would grow and grow; his teachings spread like wildfire threatening to destroy the established order. With Europeans peddling opium and burning their summer palaces, China's Manchu overlords are short of resources; their court rife with intrigue and in complete disarray. To fight Hong and his peasant convert army led by an illiterate farmer, they must arm and empower Chinese patriots (including General Tso... yes, THAT General Tso!) despite the threat these scholar-generals could pose to the Manchu's waning dominance over the vast Middle Kingdom. Mercenaries, missionaries, and mercantilists join the fray. An enterprising concubine begins her power climb. A menial bureaucrat raises armies and levels villages. The Tai-ping "Rebellion" was in fact, a full blown civil war that lasted 15 years and left 20-30 million soldiers and civilians dead. All of China was the prize and it was truly anyone's game. This is not fiction, this is not even an exaggeration. Lets do this.
Ti-Ping Tien-Kwoh, by Augustus F. Lindley (Vol. I + II)
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Last edited by Some_Old_Bird on March 24th, 2019, 10:43 pm, edited 2 times in total.
I remember hearing about the war (in a short and concensed form) and it was shocking and complex I guess my Euro-centric brain couldn't (still can't) imagine not hearing earlier about a war of this scope. I hope someone takes the book on.
Nice find!
Each book is probably some 15 hours completed recording.
Plus they have lots and lots of Chinese names, getting them consistent over many readers would be difficult.
Probably best for a very, very dedicated soloist.
Each book is probably some 15 hours completed recording.
Plus they have lots and lots of Chinese names, getting them consistent over many readers would be difficult.
Probably best for a very, very dedicated soloist.
Cheers, Ava.
Resident witch of LibriVox, channelling
Granny Weatherwax: "I ain't Nice."
--
AvailleAudio.com
Resident witch of LibriVox, channelling
Granny Weatherwax: "I ain't Nice."
--
AvailleAudio.com
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老兄,您不必擔心= I got you, famPlus they have lots and lots of Chinese names, getting them consistent over many readers would be difficult.
... I could use a hobby.Each book is probably some 15 hours completed recording....Probably best for a very, very dedicated soloist.
In all seriousness, I love history, all history, and there is a lot of it, but THIS, this right here, this is my favorite piece of history hands down. I don't have much experience recording for this site. As much as I want an audiobook of this to exist, I don't know if I can do justice to it as a reader. Y'all have seen tons of these projects succeed and fail. Tell me, if I can record a first chapter, a proof of concept if you will, do you think it would increase its chances of being picked up by more seasoned readers of this site? What should I do to make it gain traction?
Once more people signed on, I can take on a project coordinator type role, prepping potential readers with chapter summaries, character descriptions, pronunciation guides, and all the relevant background to the chapters they take on, proof listening, maybe recording the footnotes.
If this gains no traction and falls by the wayside, (a selfish part of me hopes it does) would it be possible to do this solo?
You'd want me to be honest, right?
Thing is, it is very hard to gauge readers interest. Some books where you might think "nobody would ever..." are done with lightning speed, others where you think "that's such a great one!!!" nobody wants to read. There are no hard and fast rules on here.
However, this particular one has several disadvantages limiting the pool of readers from the start (imo):
It's about a time/period/place most people don't know anything about. I cannot be interested in "learning more about" something I didn't even know existed.
It's non-fiction, which often goes much slower to begin with, although we do have people interested specifically in history.
The Chinese names are all over the place (which is to be expected of course), but stuff people can't pronounce or have to look up is always a deterrent.
I'm saying this because I have experience doing such a book. I'm the BC for "Dream of the Red Chamber", which also comes in 2 parts. The first one took more than 4 years to complete (mostly with readers who spoke Chinese) and the second one has been open for 2 years already and only recently received interest. I would not be surprised if this took another 2 years.
I would say: Since this topic is dear to your heart, start it as a solo. You have no time constraints and it can take as long as you want (well, almost, you do need to check in regularly). If at some point you notice that it's too much for you alone, you can always open it up as a group project (which does not mean it'll go anywhere fast, see above).
Thing is, it is very hard to gauge readers interest. Some books where you might think "nobody would ever..." are done with lightning speed, others where you think "that's such a great one!!!" nobody wants to read. There are no hard and fast rules on here.
However, this particular one has several disadvantages limiting the pool of readers from the start (imo):
It's about a time/period/place most people don't know anything about. I cannot be interested in "learning more about" something I didn't even know existed.
It's non-fiction, which often goes much slower to begin with, although we do have people interested specifically in history.
The Chinese names are all over the place (which is to be expected of course), but stuff people can't pronounce or have to look up is always a deterrent.
I'm saying this because I have experience doing such a book. I'm the BC for "Dream of the Red Chamber", which also comes in 2 parts. The first one took more than 4 years to complete (mostly with readers who spoke Chinese) and the second one has been open for 2 years already and only recently received interest. I would not be surprised if this took another 2 years.
I would say: Since this topic is dear to your heart, start it as a solo. You have no time constraints and it can take as long as you want (well, almost, you do need to check in regularly). If at some point you notice that it's too much for you alone, you can always open it up as a group project (which does not mean it'll go anywhere fast, see above).
Cheers, Ava.
Resident witch of LibriVox, channelling
Granny Weatherwax: "I ain't Nice."
--
AvailleAudio.com
Resident witch of LibriVox, channelling
Granny Weatherwax: "I ain't Nice."
--
AvailleAudio.com
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well noted, the honesty is appreciated and refreshing, I'm gonna cut my teeth on some short historical things for practice first and come back to this when I think I'm ready.
I think I'll do a few letters from Eisenhower
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16142/16142-h/16142-h.htm
and this magazine's coverage of the Boxer Rebellion (can I do that? a stand alone article instead of the whole magazine?)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28712/28712-h/28712-h.htm [ADOPTED - SNF Collection 101]
Should I post them Solo or is there some compilation they could be squeezed into?
also, I posted on your Dream of the Red Chamber thing, let me know if I can help.
I think I'll do a few letters from Eisenhower
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16142/16142-h/16142-h.htm
and this magazine's coverage of the Boxer Rebellion (can I do that? a stand alone article instead of the whole magazine?)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28712/28712-h/28712-h.htm [ADOPTED - SNF Collection 101]
Should I post them Solo or is there some compilation they could be squeezed into?
also, I posted on your Dream of the Red Chamber thing, let me know if I can help.
Try asking in this project: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=74092Some_Old_Bird wrote: ↑March 26th, 2019, 12:39 am
I think I'll do a few letters from Eisenhower
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16142/16142-h/16142-h.htm
and this magazine's coverage of the Boxer Rebellion (can I do that? a stand alone article instead of the whole magazine?)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28712/28712-h/28712-h.htm
Should I post them Solo or is there some compilation they could be squeezed into?
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Thanks!
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- Posts: 37
- Joined: January 31st, 2011, 11:06 pm
Hey friends,
Does anyone know of any projects recording documents from https://history.state.gov ? If they are all in the public domain no matter what year they were written, then I was considering profiling certain countries' modern history by recording a few of these memoranda. Does anyone know if anyone is already engaged in something like this?
Also, about hat power grabbing concubine I mentioned, She's a real character, the Empress Dowager Cixi. PG has not one but 2 biographies of her. I'll leave them here since they're tangentially relevant, just in case they peak anyone's interest.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/889 [COMPLETE: https://librivox.org/two-years-in-the-forbidden-city-by-princess-der-ling/]
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/523
She was able to take the reigns of power when her husband died and she was the only one his concubines to bear sons. Sons that she held onto power for until they came of age. Sons whom she uninstalled from power and (possibly) killed when she disapproved of their modernization efforts. She'd rather bankrupt the country rebuilding her summer palace the British ransacked in the Opium Wars than "westernize" China. The Taiping Rebellion was where she first entered the scene, but it was the Boxer where she really became notorious in the west. Peasants were getting tired of seeing China carved up by the west and became increasingly suspicious of christian missionaries penetrating into the countryside. A group called the Society of Righteous Harmonious Fists thought themselves bulletproof avatars of gods and went on a killing spree. When they besieged the foreign dignitaries in the capitol, Cixi thought they had the right idea and sided with them.
Does anyone know of any projects recording documents from https://history.state.gov ? If they are all in the public domain no matter what year they were written, then I was considering profiling certain countries' modern history by recording a few of these memoranda. Does anyone know if anyone is already engaged in something like this?
Also, about hat power grabbing concubine I mentioned, She's a real character, the Empress Dowager Cixi. PG has not one but 2 biographies of her. I'll leave them here since they're tangentially relevant, just in case they peak anyone's interest.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/889 [COMPLETE: https://librivox.org/two-years-in-the-forbidden-city-by-princess-der-ling/]
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/523
She was able to take the reigns of power when her husband died and she was the only one his concubines to bear sons. Sons that she held onto power for until they came of age. Sons whom she uninstalled from power and (possibly) killed when she disapproved of their modernization efforts. She'd rather bankrupt the country rebuilding her summer palace the British ransacked in the Opium Wars than "westernize" China. The Taiping Rebellion was where she first entered the scene, but it was the Boxer where she really became notorious in the west. Peasants were getting tired of seeing China carved up by the west and became increasingly suspicious of christian missionaries penetrating into the countryside. A group called the Society of Righteous Harmonious Fists thought themselves bulletproof avatars of gods and went on a killing spree. When they besieged the foreign dignitaries in the capitol, Cixi thought they had the right idea and sided with them.
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Hey! Do you have anyone in mind for DPL when you get this solo project running? If not I would love to DPL - I would be really interested to learn about the topic
Also, I don’t think anyone is recording those documents about different countries’ modern histories but I’m still fairly new so they might be. You could search for some of their titles in the forum or the libricox catalog. That might give you an idea!
Also, I don’t think anyone is recording those documents about different countries’ modern histories but I’m still fairly new so they might be. You could search for some of their titles in the forum or the libricox catalog. That might give you an idea!
Elsie
Like Sweden and coming of age stories? Read for Pelle the Conqueror
Like travelogues and Anthony Trollope? Read for The West Indies and the Spanish Main
Shadowland: October, 1919
Like Sweden and coming of age stories? Read for Pelle the Conqueror
Like travelogues and Anthony Trollope? Read for The West Indies and the Spanish Main
Shadowland: October, 1919
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I'm also pretty new here, so new I'm not sure what DLP stands for.
So I guess that would make you my top pick for the position by default!
Seriously, thank you for showing some interest. I don't know when this project will get off the ground. If I have to do it as a solo project I will, but not until I feel I'll do it justice when I have enough experience. Whenever it happens though, I'd love to have your help
So I guess that would make you my top pick for the position by default!
Seriously, thank you for showing some interest. I don't know when this project will get off the ground. If I have to do it as a solo project I will, but not until I feel I'll do it justice when I have enough experience. Whenever it happens though, I'd love to have your help
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- Joined: March 28th, 2019, 8:37 pm
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DPL is dedicated proof listener - so I would essentially proof listen all your sections
Elsie
Like Sweden and coming of age stories? Read for Pelle the Conqueror
Like travelogues and Anthony Trollope? Read for The West Indies and the Spanish Main
Shadowland: October, 1919
Like Sweden and coming of age stories? Read for Pelle the Conqueror
Like travelogues and Anthony Trollope? Read for The West Indies and the Spanish Main
Shadowland: October, 1919