Korea Old and New: A History

Korea Old and New: A History presents a comprehensive survey of Korean history from ancient times through the modern era. The text combines the expertise of Korean and Western scholars to provide multiple historical perspectives. The authors chronicle major developments in politics, society, economy, and culture across Korean dynasties and periods. Coverage includes traditional Korea, the colonial period, division of the peninsula, and the emergence of North and South Korea as distinct states. The book incorporates archaeological findings, historical records, and academic research to construct its historical narrative. Maps, photographs, and detailed citations support the historical content. This collaboration between Korean and Western historians offers insights into how different scholarly traditions interpret and analyze Korean history. The work raises questions about historical memory, national identity, and the relationship between tradition and modernity in Korea.

Readers find this text provides comprehensive coverage of Korean history while remaining accessible to newcomers. Many note its effectiveness as a college textbook and reference work. Likes: - Clear organization and chronological structure - Balanced coverage of political, social, and cultural developments - Strong sections on the Three Kingdoms and Joseon periods - Inclusion of maps and photos Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style - Limited coverage of pre-Three Kingdoms period - Some readers want more detail on daily life/social history - Minor factual errors noted by specialists One reader commented: "Best single-volume overview of Korean history available in English, but requires committed reading." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (187 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (41 ratings) Most critical reviews focus on readability rather than content accuracy. Academic reviewers consistently cite it as a reliable scholarly source, though newer texts now offer updated research on certain periods.

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🔸 The book was published in 1990 as a collaboration between Harvard University and Korea's Ilchokak Publishers, representing a unique East-West academic partnership in Korean historical studies. 🔸 Ki-baik Lee, one of the authors, wrote the influential "A New History of Korea" which served as a foundation for this expanded work and is considered one of the most important Korean historians of the 20th century. 🔸 The text incorporates both Korean and Western perspectives on historical events, particularly in its coverage of the Korean War, offering readers a balanced view rarely found in single-authored works. 🔸 The book's coverage spans over 2,000 years of Korean history, from prehistoric times through the 1980s, including the crucial division of Korea and the subsequent divergent paths of North and South. 🔸 Author Carter J. Eckert later received the Order of Cultural Merit (Hwagwan Order) from the South Korean government for his contributions to Korean studies and promoting understanding of Korean culture abroad.