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Seoul's Historic Walks in Sketches
Seoul is a rapidly changing city, the epitome of the latest trends and technology. But looking closely in between the skyscrapers, there lie hints that reveal an alternate story, a story of a 600-year-old capital city. Seoul’s Historic Walks in Sketches discovers and brings to life these stories. From the Joseon era’s palaces and fortresses to modern skyscrapers of glass and steel built on historic sites, the author’s pencil sketches bring forth a new dimension of Seoul. Accompanying the illustrations are his insightful, witty commentaries on local history that go a long way in presenting readers with a captivating view of the unknown city, a city almost exotic in its mystery.
A city, its architecture and its history: 15 must-see attractions in old town Seoul
Through the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), Japanese colonial rule, the Korean War, industrialization, and democratization movements, countless stories of the changing times have been engraved in the nooks and crannies of Seoul. This book is a retrospect of the forgotten city of Hanyang (old Seoul), reviving the history once lived within the four ancient great gates.
Many of the places covered in this book are among Seoul’s most famous landmarks and popular tourist attractions, yet the sagas unraveled at each destination impart an unconventional perspective. The author’s remarkably discerning eye notices and depicts the minute details most would miss around the city. For those unmoved by the textbook photographs and dry histories of existing guides to Seoul, this book’s intimate charm is sure to please.
The ever-changing city of Seoul: Sites and stories unfamiliar even to locals
It would be an understatement to say that this book is only dedicated to tracking down the historical traces of Seoul. As the author says, “Seoul isn’t an antique—it’s an ever-changing organism.” He discusses the recent changes that have proven significant to the city and introduces hidden attractions around the city, from an ecological park on a skyscraper rooftop to evidence of historical figures cleverly hidden in amongst the buildings. Seoul Historic Walks in Sketches contains extraordinary and unmatched insight into the city.
A city, its architecture and its history: 15 must-see attractions in old town Seoul
Through the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), Japanese colonial rule, the Korean War, industrialization, and democratization movements, countless stories of the changing times have been engraved in the nooks and crannies of Seoul. This book is a retrospect of the forgotten city of Hanyang (old Seoul), reviving the history once lived within the four ancient great gates.
Many of the places covered in this book are among Seoul’s most famous landmarks and popular tourist attractions, yet the sagas unraveled at each destination impart an unconventional perspective. The author’s remarkably discerning eye notices and depicts the minute details most would miss around the city. For those unmoved by the textbook photographs and dry histories of existing guides to Seoul, this book’s intimate charm is sure to please.
The ever-changing city of Seoul: Sites and stories unfamiliar even to locals
It would be an understatement to say that this book is only dedicated to tracking down the historical traces of Seoul. As the author says, “Seoul isn’t an antique—it’s an ever-changing organism.” He discusses the recent changes that have proven significant to the city and introduces hidden attractions around the city, from an ecological park on a skyscraper rooftop to evidence of historical figures cleverly hidden in amongst the buildings. Seoul Historic Walks in Sketches contains extraordinary and unmatched insight into the city.
- GenresNonfictionArtHistory
483 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2018
10 people are currently reading
1328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 16, 2018
Seoul’s historic walks is a beautiful book written in order to walk the reader through Seoul’s and its rich history. It is a retrospect of the forgotten city of Hanyang and covers 15 attractions is possesses.
I absolutely loved the sketches, the little notes around the drawings and the detailed information revolving around the sites. I believe the author has spent much love and given thought into producing such an exemplary book. As you read and focus on the drawings, you really do get the feeling as if you were there.
The book is translated yet, it was obvious to see that the richness of its literature had not been lost in translation. I believe anyone who wishes to know about Seoul and its history would really appreciate this book.
I found the work to be very organized, to the point and useful. I believe the soft nature of the illustrations made the book very attractive to the eye and made me intrigued to read more.
I would not class this work as a travel book or a photography book. However, anyone interested in the same fields will also find it attention-grabbing.
I absolutely loved the sketches, the little notes around the drawings and the detailed information revolving around the sites. I believe the author has spent much love and given thought into producing such an exemplary book. As you read and focus on the drawings, you really do get the feeling as if you were there.
The book is translated yet, it was obvious to see that the richness of its literature had not been lost in translation. I believe anyone who wishes to know about Seoul and its history would really appreciate this book.
I found the work to be very organized, to the point and useful. I believe the soft nature of the illustrations made the book very attractive to the eye and made me intrigued to read more.
I would not class this work as a travel book or a photography book. However, anyone interested in the same fields will also find it attention-grabbing.
September 13, 2018
This is my new favorite way to learn about history and architecture- through the eyes of an artist.
This book is a love letter to the Seoul of past and present. Inevitably, it's a bit sad. So much has been destroyed and lost through countless wars, Japanese colonization, the Korean War, and now ambitious property developers. But nostalgia also offers a lot of humor and inspiring stories as well. And the future of the city seems brighter than the past.
The glory and folly of kings, mythical creatures, generals, missionaries, independence fighters, traitors- all of their stories are told in buildings, monuments, and even trees.
This is one of those books that makes me want to hug the author and buy him a coffee if I ever saw him. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this soon.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Seoul Selection for proving an eARC
This book is a love letter to the Seoul of past and present. Inevitably, it's a bit sad. So much has been destroyed and lost through countless wars, Japanese colonization, the Korean War, and now ambitious property developers. But nostalgia also offers a lot of humor and inspiring stories as well. And the future of the city seems brighter than the past.
The glory and folly of kings, mythical creatures, generals, missionaries, independence fighters, traitors- all of their stories are told in buildings, monuments, and even trees.
This is one of those books that makes me want to hug the author and buy him a coffee if I ever saw him. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this soon.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Seoul Selection for proving an eARC
June 5, 2020
If you want to know more about Seoul’s History. This book is the answer. Seriously, the places mentioned in this book I never thought it’s existence after reside in South Korea almost 5 years.
Daebak!!
Daebak!!
February 24, 2020
Full Disclosure: Goodreads Giveaway winner
I entered this giveaway because the book sounded interesting. I've never been to Seoul, or Korea; I know people who have lived there with the US military. The book is lovely, and the writing is poetic, even with the translation - it must be beautiful in Korean. I learned a lot, not just about Seoul, but about Korean culture and history.
So many times while reading this, I could imagine parallel books about cities I know and love, like Washington DC, London, Paris, and Jerusalem.... by artists/writers who have lived there. Pipe dreams....
I entered this giveaway because the book sounded interesting. I've never been to Seoul, or Korea; I know people who have lived there with the US military. The book is lovely, and the writing is poetic, even with the translation - it must be beautiful in Korean. I learned a lot, not just about Seoul, but about Korean culture and history.
So many times while reading this, I could imagine parallel books about cities I know and love, like Washington DC, London, Paris, and Jerusalem.... by artists/writers who have lived there. Pipe dreams....
November 7, 2025
Full of beautiful illustrations and prose. The author has great attention to detail and definitely did his research. He made the history feel deeply personal and relatable. I'm ashamed to say that I've likely walked past many of these places without a second thought.
My one negative point is the Kindle format. On my device, some of the illustrations were a bit too small on my screen to read the little side comments, which made for a less than ideal reading experience. Unfortunately, my library didn't have the paperback version.
My one negative point is the Kindle format. On my device, some of the illustrations were a bit too small on my screen to read the little side comments, which made for a less than ideal reading experience. Unfortunately, my library didn't have the paperback version.
September 12, 2018
I was so excited when I won this goodreads giveaway. Seoul South Korea is on my travel list. I didn't know what to expect. It was a nice balance of history and drawings.
I really liked the attention to detail in this book. I learned different things about Seoul that I didn't know before. I just finished the book I will write a more detailed review when I'm more awake.
I really liked the attention to detail in this book. I learned different things about Seoul that I didn't know before. I just finished the book I will write a more detailed review when I'm more awake.
March 6, 2021
I like how this book is an art, architecture, history and travelogue thrown into one gorgeous book. It covers all the things I love — and miss! — about Seoul. Seoul is one of my favorite cities and I wish I had this book to guide me in my previous trips. Will definitely reread from time to time; maybe closer to a trip in the future when it’s safe to travel again.
May 3, 2020
As someone who fell in love with Seoul by foot, this was a fantastic read. In it's abundance of sketches that accompany a hostoric overview of each place, this book holds a perfect balance of intellect and whimsy.
August 5, 2020
Informative. History. Fun.
July 22, 2020
As much as I love the sketches, I have to admit it was the writing that got me hooked to the book. Janghee Lee is not only a good artist, he's an amazing storyteller too. Every topic, every place, every story was written beautifully and elaborately yet at the same time he managed to add just enough information for readers to digest without being too overwhelmed with all the info.
I've been to many places mentioned in the book, but little did I notice certain details or historical facts behind every building, bridge, ornament or statue that makes Seoul the way it is. Reading this makes me want to go back to Seoul and appreciate the beauty of the city that I have overlooked during my many visits there.
I've been to many places mentioned in the book, but little did I notice certain details or historical facts behind every building, bridge, ornament or statue that makes Seoul the way it is. Reading this makes me want to go back to Seoul and appreciate the beauty of the city that I have overlooked during my many visits there.
August 15, 2023
This is one of those books where I knew from the first chapter I was going to love it. This book tells the stories of Seoul's historical grand past, tracing told, untold and some forgotten stories of the place.
The author fills every page with his personal and detailed sketches of the city, as he researches, walks and discovers past stories of Seoul that are hidden, that no longer exist or that have been destroyed and rebuilt. He's clearly very passionate about his home and is a wonderful storyteller, this is not a dry history book at all.
This is a long read, but if you're interested in learning more behind modern Seoul's skyscrapers, cherry blossoms and cafes, I can't recommend this enough!
The author fills every page with his personal and detailed sketches of the city, as he researches, walks and discovers past stories of Seoul that are hidden, that no longer exist or that have been destroyed and rebuilt. He's clearly very passionate about his home and is a wonderful storyteller, this is not a dry history book at all.
This is a long read, but if you're interested in learning more behind modern Seoul's skyscrapers, cherry blossoms and cafes, I can't recommend this enough!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews