Synopses & Reviews
Review
In four hundred clear and well-written pages, five eminent Korean and American historians provide a judicious survey of Korea's history from Paleolithic times to the present, giving due emphasis to its cultural achievements, including its magnificent pottery, and, not least, the development of metal moveable type in the first half of the 15th century. Jon Halliday
Review
By and large the best historical discussion in English of Korea's modern transformation. London Review of Books
Review
Some of the recent scholarly work has tended to be rather ahistorical in approach, as if Korea--like Athena from the head of Zeus--somehow sprang full-grown onto the international scene in 1960. Korea Old and New...is an important antidote to [this] approach...Beginning with the Paleolithic Age, Korea Old and New moves with considerable grace through the early years of Korean culture, the Three Kingdoms era, Koryo and Yi dynasties, and on into the modern age...The strengths of this book are many, but in particular the comprehensive nature and the balanced analysis stand out as exceptional...Well-written and comprehensive, Korea Old and New...is required reading for anyone wishing to understand Korea. Soon Won Park - Korean Studies
Review
Each of these authors, recognized as specialists on their chosen periods, offers even-handed accounts of events which are often minefields of historical controversy...This volume may be confidently recommended as the best available text on the subject. David C. Kang - Journal of Contemporary Asia
Synopsis
This full-scale presentation of the general history of Korea not only provides a detailed treatment of the post-1945 period, but describes at length the traditional historical-cultural milieu from which modern Korea has developed. This century has witnessed a multiplicity of both domestic and external factors that have resulted either in tendentious history or in emphasis badly skewed toward such dramatic events as the Korean War or South Korea's remarkable economic successes. Korea Old and New presents a more balanced survey. Its coverage of traditional Korea emphasizes cultural developments not merely as isolated expressions of the creative spirit of the people but as integrally related to Korea's political, social, and economic history. The book's preponderant concern is with the tumultuous modern era, and six academic specialists provide a wide-angle view of each distinct period. The authors succeed in elucidating the past while providing new understanding of the vast changes that have taken place in this ancient nation.
About the Author
Carter Eckert is Yoon Se Young Professor of Korean History at Harvard UniversityKi-Baik Lee is Professor of History, <>Sogang University, Seoul.Michael Robinsonis Associate Professor of Korean History at <>Indiana University.Edward W. Wagner is Professor of Korean Studies, <>Harvard University.
Table of Contents
Foreword
1. The Communal Societies of Prehistoric Times
The Paleolithic Age
The Appearance of Neolithic Man
Society and Culture in the Neolithic Period
2. Walled-Town States and Confederated Kingdoms
Bronze Age Culture
Old Choson and Wiman Choson
The Formation of Confederated Kingdoms: Puyo, Koguryo, and the State of Chin
Society and Polity in the Confederated Kingdoms
Culture in the Confederated Kingdoms Period