Korean Job Discussion Forums

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Just some books that have help me learn more about this fascinating and perplexing place called Korea.

The Koreans by Michael Breen

The Aquariums of Pyongyang by Kang Chol Hwan

Korea UnMasked by Rhie Won Bok

Nanjung Ilgi by Admiral Yi Sun Sin

Anyone carry to share their favorite books about Korea?

p.s. detailed writeups and my thoughts and opinions of said books to follow ....

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Nanjung Ilgi: the War Diaries of Admiral Yi Sun Sin by Yi Sun Si

Not the easiest read in the world as it's a day by day account of the 1592-1598 Imjin War written by an eccentric genius in ancient Korean and then translated into modern English.

As such, though, it provides invaluable and fascinating incites into Josen period Korea with first hand accounts of daily life, political intrigue, and warfare circa 16th century Korea.

One interesting aspect of Nanjung Ilgi is that Yi Sun Sin constantly qutoes Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese master of war.

One quote goes "you may defeat a countries armies, but as long as its people remain unbeaten you have not won the war."

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Roadmap to Korean by Richard Harris

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Korea Unmasked by Rhie Won Bok

They should hand out this book to every new foreigner who comes to Korea.

It is a guide to the Korean pysche and does any excellent job of explaining the "extreme" "bi-polar" nature of Koreans and how they got that way.

Simple, concise and straight to the point (it's a comic book for *beep*'s sake) the author doesn't pull any of his punches and tells it like it is.

More than once while reading Korea Unmasked I found it hard to believe a Korean actually wrote this book as the author touches on many taboo subjects among Koreans like the Japanese occupation, how Korea benefits from the American presence, and Korea's screwed up education system.

All in all, highly recommended to anyone who finds themselves asking "why do Koreans act the way they do?"
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kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Sources of Korean Tradition by Peter H. Lee and William Theodore de Bary

This is a two volume set dealing with Korea's social, intellectual, and religious cultures. It also has some history. It is a little heavy and abridged from a much longer version.

baldrick · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: Location, Location

Just been lent a book called 'Inside the Hermit Kingdom'. Its about a Korean girl who emigrated to Canada ages 9 and eventually became a journalist and visited North Korea. Interesting story of her almost double life, battling her Korean family and culture with a western mind set. Also a very interesting account of North Korea.
Didn't really help me learn about Korea, just a confirmation of the darker side of Korean culture from one of their own.......

Crois · Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 5:25 am Post subject:

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

The Koreans by Michael Breen

A few sentences into this book and you know it was written by a long term "lifer" in Korea by its jaded, sarcastic tone.

Breen was a British journalist who spent close to 15 years in South Korea with frequent visits to the North, got to know many of the key players, and lived through the turbulent 1980s.

Contains quite a bit of stuff that is covered (better) in other books.

Were it shines is in a summary discourse of both Koreas's economic and political systems and how they came to be.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Good historical fiction: The Living Reed by Pearl S. Buck.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I'm reading a six book series put out by UNESCO about different parts of Korean culture.

I think they are economics, politics, culture, history, literature and ?????

Anyway...the are hard cover, usually about 700 pages long and in seperate colors.

Great reading.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

"The Koreans" by Breen is good. But just live here a while, read the papers or whatever, met a few people, interact with some kids, you'll learn enough!

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Jack is right on about KOREA UNMASKED, but I think a newbie shouldn't read it until they've spent at least 6 months here. It will be so delicious to have your suspicions confirmed by a KOREAN writer!

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

There are some good recommendations here. The only ones I've read that I recall (and haven't seen anyone else post) are:

The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History by Don Oberdorfer
Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History by Bruce Cumings
One Thousand Chestnut Trees bye Mira Stout

Enjoy!

PS. Seoul Selection Book store has an awesome selection of books in English on Korean history, culture, politics, etc. They are located near Insadong.