Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Newbie]

Hi folks, I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good book on Korean history.

A little more on what I'm looking for: a general overview for someone who is well educated and well read, but not looking for an overly intense academic experience, but can get a good over view of Korean history. (It's for my 80 year old dad who has always been fond of history, and seems to be more and more interested in my wife's country - after 5 years he's given in to my wife and now refers to his "Japanese Maple Trees" as "Asian Maples" and is actually trying to learn a little bit of the language)

I am quite certain that I want to stay away from anything written by a Korean, because, well, I think we all know that a large number of Koreans can overstate the importance of themselves and are often painfully biased. But, if you know of a Korean author who has created such a book in an objective manner, I'm definitely open to any suggestions.

Has anyone read, "Everlasting Flower" by Keith Pratt? It sounds a little like something I would want.

Thanks for your help!

[FMPJ]

I recommend Bruce Cumings' Korea's Place in the Sun, although it goes through pre-20th century stuff pretty quick.

[sml7285]

[Nismo]

The Cumings book is good. For a modern history, Oberdorfer's The Two Koreas is a great read.

Michael Breen's The Koreans is god awful, if you couldn't tell by the title. At one point in the book he compares modern Korean bus drivers to paleolithic men (p.75, second paragraph). Even as a joke, it's awful placement that only serves to highlight the low caliber of the book itself.

[toby99]

Agreed; Cummings is a prominent leftist, but regardless of politics his book is an interesting read. The Breen book is pretty awful.

[sublunari]

Don't waste your time with Cummings, who is a supporter of North Korea---go for The Cleanest Race instead. You and your dad won't be able to put it down.

[rchristo10]

<다시 찾는 우리역사> by 한영우. Take out your dictionary and start reading. Take it slow (there are 3 sets). And even this book is only scratching the surface. In terms of reading Cummings and stuff in English, I guess they're OK if you want to read a couple of guide books & Korean History for Dummy manuals to boot.

[FMPJ]

[Julius]