Korea: Old and New: A History

Korea: Old and New: A History surveys the Korean peninsula from prehistoric times through the late 20th century. The text, written by Carter Eckert and his colleagues at Harvard University, serves as a comprehensive overview of Korean history, politics, and culture. The book examines major periods including the Three Kingdoms era, Koryo dynasty, Choson dynasty, Japanese colonial period, and modern division of North and South Korea. It covers political shifts, economic developments, social structures, and cultural transformations across these distinct historical phases. The narrative incorporates primary sources, archaeological findings, and academic research to present Korea's path from early civilization to modern nationhood. Maps, photographs, and chronological tables supplement the historical account. This history raises central questions about Korean identity, the impacts of foreign influences, and the complex relationship between tradition and modernization. The text provides context for understanding contemporary Korean society and its historical foundations.

Readers note this book serves as a standard university textbook on Korean history, offering detailed coverage from ancient times through the 1980s. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear chronological organization - Balanced treatment of North and South Korea - Strong coverage of the colonial period - Useful maps and dynastic tables Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Limited coverage of cultural/social history - Minimal discussion of post-1980s events - Some sections feel outdated (published 1990) One reader commented: "Very thorough but reads like a textbook rather than engaging narrative history." Another noted: "Strong on political/economic details but weak on helping understand Korean mindset and culture." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) Google Books: 4/5 (42 ratings) Most readers recommend it as a comprehensive reference but suggest supplementing with more recent books for modern Korean history.

The Making of Modern Korea by Adrian Buzo Chronicles the political, economic, and social transformation of Korea from the late 19th century through modern times with emphasis on both North and South Korea.

A New History of Korea by Ki-baik Lee Presents Korean history from prehistoric times through the 1980s with a focus on cultural developments and domestic perspectives rather than foreign relations.

Korea's Place in the Sun by Bruce Cumings Examines the historical foundations of Korean society from ancient times through the twentieth century with particular attention to the division of the peninsula and its consequences.

Sources of Korean Tradition by Peter H. Lee, Wm. Theodore de Bary, and Yŏngho Ch'oe Compiles primary source documents from Korean history, including political writings, philosophical texts, and literary works that illuminate Korean culture and thought across the centuries.

The Two Koreas by Don Oberdorfer Traces the parallel development of North and South Korea from 1972 through the late 1990s through diplomatic relations, economic changes, and political events.

🔎 Carter Eckert developed the concept of "colonial modernity" which challenged the traditional view that Korea's modernization began only after liberation from Japan 🏛️ The book was a collaborative effort between Harvard University and Korea University, making it one of the first major English-language histories of Korea to incorporate significant Korean scholarship ⚔️ The text controversially argues that some aspects of Japanese colonial rule inadvertently contributed to Korea's later industrialization, sparking academic debates that continue today 📚 First published in 1990, it became a standard textbook for Korean history courses in American universities, replacing earlier works that relied heavily on Japanese colonial-era sources 🌏 The book's balanced treatment of North and South Korea was groundbreaking for its time, as most previous English-language histories focused primarily on South Korea