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Korea: A History
While popular trends, cuisine, and long-standing political tension have made Korea familiar in some ways to a vast English-speaking world, its recorded history of some two millennia remains unfamiliar to most. A History addresses general readers, providing an up-to-date, accessible overview of Korean history from antiquity to the present. Eugene Y. Park draws on original-language sources and the up-to-date synthesis of East Asian and Western-language scholarship to provide an insightful account. This book expands still-limited English-language discussions on pre-modern Korea, offering rigorous and compelling analyses of Korea's modernization while discussing daily life, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ history, and North Korean history not always included in Korea surveys. Overall, Park is able to break new ground on questions and debates that have been central to the field of Korean studies since its inception.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 28, 2022
Good introductory book to the history of Korea.
What I liked:
- Considering that this is not a huge book, and that it goes from prehistory to December 2020 or so, I think it is has a good balance between old history and modern history.
- The author gives space to the events of North Korea as well, although the sources there are rather limited. It is however interesting to read how the events developed there as well.
- At the end of each chapter the author spends some words on the evolution of society (food, housing, gender issues).Limited space is dedicated to it, but still a very interestingpart (again, it is not a huge book),.
What I liked less:
- Sometimes one wants to find more information on the internet about the places and events described in the book. This is not so easy because in translating Korean words into English the author uses a different spelling that what you would normally find.
- As a Western person not used to memorizing Korean names, I found it sometimes hard to follow the flow of the events and to understand who was doing what. Authors of these introductory histories sometimes use visual tools like timelines and genealogies to support the read, however this was missing here.
Overall an interesting read. It is really not easy to put in 400 pages a whole history of a country, and to keep it at the same time clear and not too heavy. I think the author did his best. Would recommend
What I liked:
- Considering that this is not a huge book, and that it goes from prehistory to December 2020 or so, I think it is has a good balance between old history and modern history.
- The author gives space to the events of North Korea as well, although the sources there are rather limited. It is however interesting to read how the events developed there as well.
- At the end of each chapter the author spends some words on the evolution of society (food, housing, gender issues).Limited space is dedicated to it, but still a very interestingpart (again, it is not a huge book),.
What I liked less:
- Sometimes one wants to find more information on the internet about the places and events described in the book. This is not so easy because in translating Korean words into English the author uses a different spelling that what you would normally find.
- As a Western person not used to memorizing Korean names, I found it sometimes hard to follow the flow of the events and to understand who was doing what. Authors of these introductory histories sometimes use visual tools like timelines and genealogies to support the read, however this was missing here.
Overall an interesting read. It is really not easy to put in 400 pages a whole history of a country, and to keep it at the same time clear and not too heavy. I think the author did his best. Would recommend
August 30, 2022
I think what the author of this book has done is amazing. He has written a condensed but detailed account of Korean history starting from the classical period moving all the way into modern society. He paints a good picture of how Korean society emerged, through militarism and self defense, and how it was able to build its own unique culture in shadow of the great giant cultural leader right at its doorstep. It seems as though plentiful research has gone into finding and placing significant historical events into the Korean historical timeline and national identity building such as military and educational reforms, and even writing on trends of agriculture, literature and food culture.
What I found lacking in the book, was the so called new lens that the author was claiming to bring in studying and writing Korean historiography. There was little research done on the LGBTQ community and of women and felt like the typical short paragraphs that you get at the end of a chapter of a school textbook. I was hoping for more but what the author gave was a great accomplishment all in all.
I learned a lot from the book and think this is a great read for anyone who has at least a base level understanding if Korean history to help broaden the scope just a little bit more with the expansive amount of research and writing that has gone into making this book.
What I found lacking in the book, was the so called new lens that the author was claiming to bring in studying and writing Korean historiography. There was little research done on the LGBTQ community and of women and felt like the typical short paragraphs that you get at the end of a chapter of a school textbook. I was hoping for more but what the author gave was a great accomplishment all in all.
I learned a lot from the book and think this is a great read for anyone who has at least a base level understanding if Korean history to help broaden the scope just a little bit more with the expansive amount of research and writing that has gone into making this book.
November 18, 2023
Interesting, comprehensive history of Korea. I was interested to see how many contemporary issues in the news, for example low birth rate and complicated relationship with Japan (eg recent Fukushima waste water release) have historical roots. The first half of the book was especially readable; parts 1-3 were mostly new information for me and I found the writing clear and interesting to a casual history reader.
October 18, 2024
Is This An Overview?
Korea’s technological progress in the Bronze Age brought with it social stratification and the subordination of weaker tribes by stronger tribes. Tribes became larger and more centralized, eventually bringing about the Three Kingdoms of Paekche, Koguryǒ, and Silla. The kingdoms were brought together under the Koryǒ monarchy, which transitioned into the Chosǒn. Becoming the two states of North and South Korea after the end of Japanese occupation.
The kingdoms had their similarities and differences within conflicts and foreign relations. Even from the early Kingdoms, Korea’s culture and politics has been influenced by China. The kingdoms developed strict aristocracies, with Buddhism, Confucianism, and later Protestantism for social harmony and governance legitimization. Governance which became a compromise between meritocracy and aristocracy through examination and privileges. At times, monarchs became figureheads.
The Korean states maintained their sovereignty through a balance of power between them, and other neighboring states. But were often a tributary state, a colony of another power such as China, Mongolia, Manchuria, or Japan. Preserving their identity while being subordinate.
The economic burden of societies tended to be placed on the lower classes, the farmers. When there was more extraction from farmers, the economy suffered, which sparked rebellions. The socioeconomic situation improved when the lower classes were not under dire pressure, and were supported by knowledge and innovation. The political and economic tension persisted into the two states of North and South Korea. Both had authoritarian regimes, but while North Korea was influenced by Russia to pursue economic self-sufficiency, South Korea was influenced by the United States to pursue economic integration into a global economy. North Korea’s economy initially fared better than South Korea’s, but South Korea flourished due to globalization, while North Korea suffered through a lack of needed support.
Caveats?
This book can be difficult to read, as a lot of diverse details are provided in quick succession. There is often a lack of explanations for events other than the details of what happened, with poor transitions between events. The informational organization when describing contemporaneous Korean states can make it difficult to understand what information effects what state. The difficulty of reading the book was alleviated when the author was describing shorter time horizons, with fewer political states.
As a book on Korea, the author favors interpreting information to favor Korea. A present but not major bias, is the representation of Korea as more victim and others as perpetrators, while limiting information on Korea’s aggressions.
Korea’s technological progress in the Bronze Age brought with it social stratification and the subordination of weaker tribes by stronger tribes. Tribes became larger and more centralized, eventually bringing about the Three Kingdoms of Paekche, Koguryǒ, and Silla. The kingdoms were brought together under the Koryǒ monarchy, which transitioned into the Chosǒn. Becoming the two states of North and South Korea after the end of Japanese occupation.
The kingdoms had their similarities and differences within conflicts and foreign relations. Even from the early Kingdoms, Korea’s culture and politics has been influenced by China. The kingdoms developed strict aristocracies, with Buddhism, Confucianism, and later Protestantism for social harmony and governance legitimization. Governance which became a compromise between meritocracy and aristocracy through examination and privileges. At times, monarchs became figureheads.
The Korean states maintained their sovereignty through a balance of power between them, and other neighboring states. But were often a tributary state, a colony of another power such as China, Mongolia, Manchuria, or Japan. Preserving their identity while being subordinate.
The economic burden of societies tended to be placed on the lower classes, the farmers. When there was more extraction from farmers, the economy suffered, which sparked rebellions. The socioeconomic situation improved when the lower classes were not under dire pressure, and were supported by knowledge and innovation. The political and economic tension persisted into the two states of North and South Korea. Both had authoritarian regimes, but while North Korea was influenced by Russia to pursue economic self-sufficiency, South Korea was influenced by the United States to pursue economic integration into a global economy. North Korea’s economy initially fared better than South Korea’s, but South Korea flourished due to globalization, while North Korea suffered through a lack of needed support.
Caveats?
This book can be difficult to read, as a lot of diverse details are provided in quick succession. There is often a lack of explanations for events other than the details of what happened, with poor transitions between events. The informational organization when describing contemporaneous Korean states can make it difficult to understand what information effects what state. The difficulty of reading the book was alleviated when the author was describing shorter time horizons, with fewer political states.
As a book on Korea, the author favors interpreting information to favor Korea. A present but not major bias, is the representation of Korea as more victim and others as perpetrators, while limiting information on Korea’s aggressions.
June 13, 2024
É um texto muito abrangente em termos históricos.
O exercício final (ainda extenso) de comparação entre as duas Coreias após o fim da anexação pelo Japão (1945) foi, para mim, o ponto alto.
As razões do sucesso económico em tão curto período de tempo (a Coreia do Sul só é democrática desde 1987 e foi formada em 1948) ficam mais claras após ler o livro. Sempre foi um país capaz de absorver ideias, visível no mix religioso do país ao longo da sua história, e levou avante a experiência de uma economia de mercado como poucos. Nesta fase as fragilidades do sistema que implementou têm uma crescente importância e é o país do mundo com menor taxa de natalidade, com tendência decrescente.
O passado ligado ao Confucionismo, onde o (hiper)respeito para com os mais velhos e uma noção hierárquica bem estabelecida mantém muita influência na sociedade, faz deste país mais suscetível à captura de recursos por um grupo muito restrito.
No passado, a Coreia foi sempre capaz de se reinventar fazendo face aos seus problemas usando uma qualquer ideia do exterior. Neste momento é a principal nação afetada com as quebras de natalidade e não tendo a mesma capacidade de se socorrer do tampão da emigração o mundo está à espera de engenho para lidar com a questão. Serão capazes de tomar a dianteira e engendrar uma mudança filosófica internamente ou vão esperar por um milagre e sucumbir à pressão dos tempos?
Na história entre estes dois países há o exemplo de uma Coreia do Norte que até foi mais bem sucedida durante os primeiros 20 anos e que daí para cá tem tido uma existência patética. Uma má ideia pode enganar e depois disso até definhar durante anos, mas o desafio agora é tão primário que até essa existência débil é colocada em causa. Talvez o capítulo mais interessante da história da(s) Coreia(s) seja o que se segue.
O exercício final (ainda extenso) de comparação entre as duas Coreias após o fim da anexação pelo Japão (1945) foi, para mim, o ponto alto.
As razões do sucesso económico em tão curto período de tempo (a Coreia do Sul só é democrática desde 1987 e foi formada em 1948) ficam mais claras após ler o livro. Sempre foi um país capaz de absorver ideias, visível no mix religioso do país ao longo da sua história, e levou avante a experiência de uma economia de mercado como poucos. Nesta fase as fragilidades do sistema que implementou têm uma crescente importância e é o país do mundo com menor taxa de natalidade, com tendência decrescente.
O passado ligado ao Confucionismo, onde o (hiper)respeito para com os mais velhos e uma noção hierárquica bem estabelecida mantém muita influência na sociedade, faz deste país mais suscetível à captura de recursos por um grupo muito restrito.
No passado, a Coreia foi sempre capaz de se reinventar fazendo face aos seus problemas usando uma qualquer ideia do exterior. Neste momento é a principal nação afetada com as quebras de natalidade e não tendo a mesma capacidade de se socorrer do tampão da emigração o mundo está à espera de engenho para lidar com a questão. Serão capazes de tomar a dianteira e engendrar uma mudança filosófica internamente ou vão esperar por um milagre e sucumbir à pressão dos tempos?
Na história entre estes dois países há o exemplo de uma Coreia do Norte que até foi mais bem sucedida durante os primeiros 20 anos e que daí para cá tem tido uma existência patética. Uma má ideia pode enganar e depois disso até definhar durante anos, mas o desafio agora é tão primário que até essa existência débil é colocada em causa. Talvez o capítulo mais interessante da história da(s) Coreia(s) seja o que se segue.
August 13, 2023
Korea: A History was the most comprehensive overview of Korean history I have come across so far, covering antiquity right up to the 21st century. The prose was generally interesting and there was a good smattering of illustrations throughout. The book also covered both North and South Korea as much as possible once that split occurred in the mid-20th century, so you can see in parallel the development of the two countries over the last 70 years. I read this on Scribd, but I have added it to my wishlist to buy, as I'd like to have a copy for myself. Am I rating it 5 stars then? No. It would have been a five-star read except for one thing: the romanisation. Why, oh why, did an author writing in the 2020s decide to go back to the old McCune–Reischauer romanisation system? It has so many problems. I am learning Korean, but sometimes I would see a word and wonder what it was, only to realise I did know it, I just couldn't recognise it with that awful romanisation. The revised romanisation adopted in 2000 isn't perfect either, but it is much much better and easier to read than the old system. So, I think the author's decision to adopt McCune–Reischauer for this book was misguided, and it spoilt a little what was otherwise an excellent text. Therefore, I am giving this book 4.5 stars.
July 16, 2024
Solid, rigorous general history of Korea. Especially laudable because AFAIK there's nothing else like it on the market in English. Some interpretations of the facts lean slightly left, but there's nothing egregious.
An error on page 350: text says NK shelled Yeonpyeongdo in December 2010. It actually happened in November. I noticed this error because I was getting ready to fly to SK when the attack took place.
An error on page 350: text says NK shelled Yeonpyeongdo in December 2010. It actually happened in November. I noticed this error because I was getting ready to fly to SK when the attack took place.
April 21, 2025
'Korea - A History' by Eugene Y. Park is a complete book about the history of the Korean peninsula. Starting with the movement of the people into the peninsula and ending with the COVID 19 pandemic and its handling in both countries, North and South Korea. Park puts a lot of work in explaining both countries simoulteaniously and making the reader realize the vast difference between those two countries where the North had a better starting point.
In general it can be said that not many take aways can be done since the book is full of them and that is also the problem of the book. While it is interesting to read it is also incredible dry to read since many topics are just a assemblance of dates and events without much interpretation. Maybe this is due to the fact that there are no more information. The book changes a bit at the end but remains dry.
Interesting is especially the emphasis on the culture and food and how it changed in both countries. Plus the fact that Japan actually committed Dokdo to Japan and it is even documented.
Many new facts are not present if you read other books about Korea as I did but I think it is a great start if you want to know something about Korea and its history. Especially the relatively well documented history of Choson where everything was documented what the king said and did and is still there till nowadays.
In general it can be said that not many take aways can be done since the book is full of them and that is also the problem of the book. While it is interesting to read it is also incredible dry to read since many topics are just a assemblance of dates and events without much interpretation. Maybe this is due to the fact that there are no more information. The book changes a bit at the end but remains dry.
Interesting is especially the emphasis on the culture and food and how it changed in both countries. Plus the fact that Japan actually committed Dokdo to Japan and it is even documented.
Many new facts are not present if you read other books about Korea as I did but I think it is a great start if you want to know something about Korea and its history. Especially the relatively well documented history of Choson where everything was documented what the king said and did and is still there till nowadays.
June 12, 2023
A pretty comprehensive history of Korea. The average Western reader will certainly find value in it. One of the biggest ways, and biggest strengths of the work, is the easily readable and comprehensive maps that are littered throughout every chapter. For those not familiar with the regions ancient or even medieval past it will be invaluable.
Outside that the format that it follows in every chapter eventually fits into a groove and becomes valuable if at times a bit repetitive (this will depend on the reader). Really the only downside is that the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the book just didn't resonate with me. I thought the early bronze and middle aged history would connect as I only knew of the post WW1 history of Korea but I really couldn't get stuck in with those early sections. I think some of that really boils down to the early sections having an issue after the history part of the chapter devolving into lists of names and works just too often.
But, overall, there's probably not many, if any, better overviews of Korean history from human expansion from Africa to the modern day and for that reason alone I can recommend it if you have an interest in the subject matter.
Outside that the format that it follows in every chapter eventually fits into a groove and becomes valuable if at times a bit repetitive (this will depend on the reader). Really the only downside is that the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the book just didn't resonate with me. I thought the early bronze and middle aged history would connect as I only knew of the post WW1 history of Korea but I really couldn't get stuck in with those early sections. I think some of that really boils down to the early sections having an issue after the history part of the chapter devolving into lists of names and works just too often.
But, overall, there's probably not many, if any, better overviews of Korean history from human expansion from Africa to the modern day and for that reason alone I can recommend it if you have an interest in the subject matter.
September 23, 2024
4.5 stars. This book is an outstanding survey of Korean history, given that it uses less than 400 pages (excluding bibliography, anyway) to trace the trends and major events of the politics, economics, and overarching culture of the Korean peninsula from the Bronze Age all the way through December 2020. And it's a mostly non-Westernized history presented for a Western audience, which is a fascinating frame to remember while reading. The scope is remarkable and is a great introduction to Korean history for English-language readers. There were many events/movements I'd heard of before but learned more about, and there were significantly more pieces of Korean history I hadn't known, and now I really want to learn more--AND I now have a LOT more historical/cultural context for the Korean media and music I love so much! I highly recommend this book as an entryway for English-language readers to learn about Korean history.
January 15, 2026
I had been looking forward to this book for a while. I took my time with it, but absolutely loved it. It was a good read. It was thoroughly researched and from as much of a neutral perspective as possible. He does his best to acknowledge the historiographies, but sticks to the truth. He respects the mythology though also presenting anthropological finds and theories. He touches on all parts of life and history through the ages. Political, social, economic, philosophical, religious, cultural, culinary, agricultural, etc. It was nice observing the evolution of the Korean people with transparency and dignity. To see when certain culinary practices or ingredients showed up in history was a plus as a foodie. I could go on and on, so I will leave it with this next statement. If you are interested in learning the entire history of the Korean Peninsula and find out about the origins of so many aspects of modern-day Korea, then this is the book for you.
April 26, 2024
I enjoyed this telling of Korean history from very early pre-history to the near modern day. It took me a few chapters to realize there was a repeating structure to each chapter with an overview and then deeper dives into certain perspectives. By the end of the book I was looking forward to the special focus sections. The old style romanization is slightly distracting.
Overall a very nice overview of a long history in a book that is not overly long.
Overall a very nice overview of a long history in a book that is not overly long.
October 17, 2023
A thorough exploration of Korea from past to present written with concise depth. Park also does a really great job of making sure to include brief sections on LGBTQ+ peoples and practices throughout Korea's history, which is often unspoken but more accepting than expected until more modern times.
May 29, 2024
I found this to be a very readable history. I was interested in this subject and I now feel better informed about Korea. For the first time I received a more detailed narrative of the Korean Conflict and the post war development of both North and South Korea.
November 19, 2023
Does a good job straddling breadth with detail, nice clear chronological sections, and good illustrative maps and analysis.
May 3, 2024
Pretty formulaic as in same format for each chapter and period but very interesting survey of Korean history from pre-history to contemporary era
October 21, 2024
I feel like I have a much better grasp on the broad history of Korea than I did before, but much of the book was also incredibly dry and I can't say I had a great time reading it. To be fair, the book is covering a huge swath of history in relatively few pages, so there isn't much room for stylistic flourish, and so it would be unfair to say that it doesn't achieve what it sets out to do.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews