Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ptewkesb]

Because I know less than nothing about Korean history and culture, other than what I��ve read here and on various other websites, I��m hoping that someone can recommend a book (or two) that provides a good, solid, general history of Korea. I would like something a little bit more substantial than a travel guide, but preferably not a dense academic treatise. Maybe a trade paperback that was written with the educated layperson in mind? Is there such a thing? The book would have to be written in (or translated into) English and, ideally, readily available, either new or used, online.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[thekingofdisco]

Korea Old and New
A History

(Carter Eckert, Ki-Baik Lee, Young Lew, Michael Robinson, Edward W. Wagner)


This is a simple and concise book to read. Not a bad start if you just want a general basic introduction to Korean history.

[Flossie]

Sources of Korean Tradition Volume 1 - up to 15th century and volume 2 - 16th to late 20th century. Edited by Yongho Choe, Peter H Lee and Wm Theodore de Bary

I have the 2nd volume. It is a little heavy going but it is broken up into topic groups eg: education, land reform, etc so you can choose the topic you are interested in at the time and go from there. Definitely worth the effort, I think.

It is slightly unusual as it has actual documents, letters, etc written by prominent Koreans of the time, translated into English.

[Cedar]

In my opinion there still isn't a top-notch "All of Korean History" book. Books tend to either over-emphasize the distant past or the recent past,,, "Korea Old and New" definitely is one of the best written and most reliable books. But it misses most of the cultural aspect of life, which is what I am most interested in. "Korea, a Religious History" by JH Grayson is really good. "A History of Korea" by WE Henthorn isn't bad. "Traditional Korea, a Cultural History" (Joe and Choe) is something I mostly use to reference MISCONCEPTIONS and "Introduction to Korean History and Culture" (Nahm) is pretty lightweight, but okay for a starter. The two "Sources..." books are really useful, but not very introductory. I find the classic "Notes on Things Korean"(SC Han) to be amazingly well done for what it is.

I truly want a history in Korea in four parts:
Early History
Joseon History
Colonial History
Post Colonial Korea
And I want EACH part to be 500 plus pages, at least. Please, someone who really knows their stuff, write this book!

Actually one of my professors has a book coming out soon, just on modern society... That may help. I've read part of the manuscript, it seems fairly good for the present day situation.

[komtengi]

The Two Koreas is a must read

[rok_the-boat]

Hulbert's History of Korea - it 100 years old, well written and interesting. Most modern ones are as boring as hell.

[Son Deureo!]

Korea's Place in the Sun by Bruce Cumings is a very readable, albeit somewhat opinionated, history that focuses on modern Korea.

The first 140 pages gives a fairly brief summary of Korean history from prehistory through the end of the Joseon Dynasty (1905). The remaining 300+ pages covers the Occupation, Korean War and its aftermath, and the industrial development and eventual democratization of the ROK in great detail. It also has interesting chapters on the North and Korean-Americans.

It has its problems, but it is definitely an interesting read. I'd recommend reading this before (but not instead of) Korea Old and New.

[wanderer]

..

[Hanson]

Michael Breen's "The Koreans" is a must.

[Cthulhu]

I second Son Deureo's choice as well as his caveat. I've heard Breen's book is excellent as well. I have to find it someday.

[patchy]

[link]http://www.kimsoft.com/kr-hist.htm[/link]

This is a good link to get you started, this site is run by Koreans. I find some of the foreign authors see Korean history through foreign eyes too much eg. too pro-American views. Bruce Cumings is good though.

[ptewkesb]

Thank you very much to everyone who recommended a book or books! I love my new reading list and am going to Amazon right this very minute to place an order. Thanks!

[Cedar]

Why go to Amazon before checked if you can buy it off the shelf at Kyobo or Seoul Selection or whatever? I know some of these books are available in Korea.

[krats1976]

[Medic]

I read the "Battle Hymn" not so long ago. It's written by Dean Hess about his life as a pilot in the Korean War. A movie was made about the book too, and is shown periodically on TV. It's well written, and gives a remarkable insight to the goings on in Korea at the time. He saw a lot of the North Korean atrocities against their own kind, which from his description was quite heart rending. The sunshine Policy discretely tried to ignore all of this. I seem to remember seeing wonderful photos of North Korean soldiers missing their loved ones when Kim Dae jung was doing his thing in Pyonnyang.

Hess is renowned in Korea for his work with the orphans during the Korean war. He had to watch the poor kids die while he was trying to get them all airlifted to Chejudo. Was a lot of support for them by military personnel at the time too. When he did get them to Chejudo the initial social workers in charge of them ripped off of everything that was sent for them and sold it on the blackmarket. That sure takes the cake. Fortunately some of the Korean pilots he was helping to train got wind of it and informed him. They were subsequently booted out. His description of the plight of the kids is a real eye opener about the conditions at the time.

Good description of the reactions of pilots who accidently straffed refugees. Should have printed that when they were having the all night vigils for the two girls who were accidently killed by the SUV a while back