Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RufusW]

Hey,

Any recommendations for a book I should read to bring me up to speed with Korean history and politics? I'm most interested in the last 100 years of the whole penninsula.

Any interesting reads out there?

[seoulsucker]

Korea: Unmasked is a pretty decent graphic novel/cartoon book that depicts the history of Korea, the relationship with its neighbors, culture, traditions, etc.

It's a light, but informative read that cleared up a lot of things for me here.

[fermentation]

Depends on what you want. A real famous book would be the Koreans by Michael Breen.

[pocariboy73]

[RufusW]

tbh I think I'm looking for something a little weightier, but I'll certain give it a look, thanks.

[FMPJ]

Look for the works of Bruce Cumings. Korea's Place in the Sun is a good place to start, and isn't at all "lightweight." Breen, on the other hand, isn't even a historian.

[The Grumpy Senator]

Here are a number of books I have come by:

A New History of Korea by Ki-baik Lee

A Panorama of 5000 Years: Korean History by Andrew C. Nahm, PhD

A Brief History of Korea by Hyong-sik Shin

Admiral Yi Sun-sin: A National Hero of Korea by Seong-do Jo

Kyongju: City of Millenial History by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO

Korea: In Search of the Country, the Society and the People by Won-bok Rhie

The Korean Cultural Series by Tae-hung Ha

I have acquired all these books in Korea; whether at bookstores or museums. I believe Kyobo can get any of them.

[ovid]

[kiwiduncan]

[Tjames426]

The Tragedy of Korea [1908] by F. A. McKenzie

Korea's Fight for Freedom [1920] by F.A. McKenzie

***

Both of these books are by the same author. McKenzie was a foreigner who lived in Korea during the wars that lead the nation from being the vassal of China to the control of the Japanese.

Both books gives a good brief history of the events surrounding the inept Korean leadership who expected the Chinese, Americans, or Russians to deliver them.

Both books give vivid descriptions of what Western foreigners saw, thought, and experienced in Korea.

Both are reprints from the original.
The ISBN for "The Tragedy of Korea" is 1-4212-5067-5
"Korea's Fight for Freedom" was reprinted by D.N. Goodchild, Philadephia [2007]. I cannot seem to find an ISBN for it.

[The Grumpy Senator]

Actually Dr. Nahm has written two books I use for my class on Korean History. I find his very well done. He is western educated and has taught Korean and Asian History at a number of well-known universities in the States.

As far as the 5000 years thing, most historians use that number to refer to the first settlers of the peninsula. About 5000 years ago, during the Neolithic Period, people began to inhabit the area now known as Korea. They came from Siberia, Manchuria and Mongolia.

I guess many people assume the legend of Dangun is the reference to 5000 years. Most responsible historians will use the legend to connect the facts. Legends, such as Dangun, Zues and King Arthur, are quite useful when learning, teaching and analyzing the ancient past. Dr. Nahm does a good job of showing why certain things were used in the legend, from the bear to the name Dangun.

[kiwiduncan]

[kiwiduncan]

on the otherhand, it's just occured to me that Dangun sounds a bit like Duncan, so maybe I should give that old bear in a cave myth a bit more credit after all

[The Grumpy Senator]

[fremchie]

I recommend "The Koreans, Who they Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies." By Michael Breen.
Not exactly history but gives some very good insight into the mindset and current culture of Korea with a look into the past. Some say the author may have generalized Koreans a bit too much, but I found the book extremely interesting.