A New History of Korea

A New History of Korea provides a comprehensive examination of Korean history from prehistoric times through the modern era. This influential work, originally published in Korean in 1967 and translated into English in 1984, remains a foundational text for Korean historical studies. The book traces Korea's development through major dynasties, cultural transformations, and political shifts, with particular attention to the Silla, Koryŏ, and Chosŏn periods. Lee documents the evolution of Korean society, including changes in government structures, class systems, economic patterns, and foreign relations. Ki-baik Lee maintains an academic approach while making complex historical developments accessible to general readers. His analysis connects social, economic, and cultural factors to demonstrate their influence on Korean historical progression. The work stands as a core text for understanding Korean identity and nationhood, presenting history as an integrated narrative of political change and cultural continuity. Through this lens, Lee explores themes of Korean resilience and adaptation in response to both internal developments and external pressures.

Readers value this book as a detailed academic reference on Korean history, though many note it requires prior knowledge of the subject. Students and scholars appreciate the chronological organization and depth of political/economic analysis. Likes: - Comprehensive coverage from prehistoric times through 1960 - Clear explanations of complex historical developments - Quality English translation maintains academic rigor - Helpful maps and dynasty charts Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style challenges casual readers - Minimal coverage of cultural/social history - Some passages need more context for Western audiences - Ends in 1960, missing recent decades "The footnotes and citations alone make this invaluable for research," notes one reviewer. Another states "You need a basic grasp of Korean history first - this isn't for beginners." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Google Books: 4/5 (42 ratings)

Korea: A History by Kyung Moon Hwang This comprehensive single-volume history provides economic, social, and cultural context for Korea from ancient times through modern developments.

Sources of Korean Tradition by Peter H. Lee, Wm. Theodore de Bary, and Yŏngho Ch'oe The collection presents primary source documents that trace Korean thought and civilization from earliest recorded history to the twentieth century.

Korea Old and New: A History by Carter J. Eckert, Ki-baik Lee, Young Ick Lew, Michael Robinson, and Edward W. Wagner This collaboration between Korean and Western scholars covers the full scope of Korean history with attention to political, economic, and social transformations.

The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History by Don Oberdorfer The text examines the divergent paths of North and South Korea from 1945 through their complex relationship with each other and world powers.

Everlasting Flower: A History of Korea by Keith Pratt The work traces Korean civilization through its cultural developments, international relations, and key historical turning points from prehistoric times to the modern era.

🔹 Ki-baik Lee was a renowned professor at Sogang University and spent over 30 years researching and writing about Korean history before publishing this comprehensive work in 1984. 🔹 The book covers an astounding 2,000 years of Korean history, from prehistoric times through the modern era, and was one of the first major English-language texts to present Korean history from a Korean perspective. 🔹 The original Korean version, "한국사신론" (Hanguksa Shinron), became a standard university textbook in South Korea and has gone through more than 30 printings since its first publication. 🔹 Lee's work challenges the traditional China-centered view of East Asian history by highlighting Korea's unique cultural developments and its significant influence on Japanese civilization. 🔹 The author faced considerable political pressure during Park Chung-hee's regime for his objective historical analysis, particularly regarding modern Korean history and the independence movement.