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A New History of Korea (Harvard-yenching Institute Publications) Hardcover – February 15, 1985

by Ki-Baik Lee (Author), Edward W. Wagner (Translator), Edward J. Schultz (Contributor)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 35 ratings
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The first English-language history of Korea to appear in more than a decade, this translation offers Western readers a distillation of the latest and best scholarship on Korean history and culture from the earliest times to the student revolution of 1960. The most widely read and respected general history, A New History of Korea (Han'guksa sillon) was first published in 1961 and has undergone two major revisions and updatings.

Translated twice into Japanese and currently being translated into Chinese as well, Professor Lee's work presents a new periodization of his country's history, based on a fresh analysis of the changing composition of the leadership elite. The book is noteworthy, too, for its full and integrated discussion of major currents in Korea's cultural history. The translation, three years in preparation, has been done by specialists in the field.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    518 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harvard University Press
  4. Publication date
    February 15, 1985
  5. Dimensions
    7.87 x 0.59 x 9.84 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0674615751
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0674615755
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Wagner must be lauded for bringing to the English reading community this comprehensive, precisely translated, well-crafted, and meticulously indexed work on Korean history, a translation that will undoubtedly remain for years as the standard overview of Korean history for both Korea specialists and nonspecialists...This project represents a marriage of revision and skillful translation with the ultimate result being the balanced and well-organized volume under review. (Michael Robinson Journal of Asian Studies)

Professor Lee's work is exceptionally detailed and covers not only the political, social and economic history of Korea, but integrates developments in the arts, science and technology through the ages. Its wealth of material and comprehensive coverage make it an excellent textbook for the study of Korea. (History)

This is a famous book, and its translation into English has long been awaited...The present elegantly written translation provides the reader, whether expert or amateur, with a good and entertaining introduction to the richness of Korea's historical experience. (J. E. Hoare Journal of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs)

Painstaking translation and attentive editing and indexing combine with a consistent and logical system of dividing topics to provide easy access to both the events of Korean history and Professor Lee's thoughtful interpretation. (Asiaweek Literary Review)

Review

To praise the translation is to praise the original. The modern writing of Korean history by Koreans has been beset by difficulties: the restrictions imposed by their traditions, the near-impossibility of writing the history of one's own nation under severe colonial rule, and the passions raised by the still-continuing political division of a homogeneous nation. To have written under these circumstances a history of Korea which can be presented, without significant emendation or apology, to Western readers is no small achievement. (W. E. Skillend Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London)

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harvard University Press; 0 edition (February 15, 1985)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 518 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0674615751
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0674615755
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.98 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.87 x 0.59 x 9.84 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 35 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
35 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Yes.
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2023
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Very good!
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Kevin Cahill
5.0 out of 5 stars A fine and moving history of Korea
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book starts with the prehistory of the Korean peninsula and runs to 1960.
The writing is excellent. The author is sensitive to the suffering and the aspirations of the people of Korea.
He describes with some pathos the destructive Japanese occupation of Korea. The story is moving.
It's an excellent book.
One person found this helpful
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Danny
4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough but a little too thorough
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this book for a Korean History class I took. It is very thorough with a lot of information on the history of the Korean Peninsula from ancient times to modern day. However I did find it a bit boring. I love history and these days there's so many history book that are written in engaging ways. This book was more traditional in that it was just a dump of information. But it wasn't difficult to read and if you're interested in history you'll probably enjoy it.
One person found this helpful
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R. MATEEN
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good reading material
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2013
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I found this book to be very good on the history of Korea. I watch the Korean TV channel KBS and it has giving me more insight on the history of Korea. Very good reading material
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Dan
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2016
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very good
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Bonghwa Reyes
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2014
Great for the grandkids.
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William Warhurst
3.0 out of 5 stars One of a few books providing a detailed Korean history
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2010
Verified Purchase
While I found the writing a bit pedantic and cumbersome, to a large degree, I have not found this information anywhere else in the English language. The author pulls together scholarly materials from a wide variety of sources to attempt a current understanding of the history of the Korean penninsula. I appreciated the author's effort and scholarship. I would have appreciated the history more if written in a style that involved the reader (think Stegner's "Beyond the Hundredth Meridian" or DeVoto's "1846").
4 people found this helpful
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A Busy Bee
4.0 out of 5 stars Important omission
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2007
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In the original Korean version of this book, there is a very significant final chapter on elitism in Korean society. This chapter is omitted from the translated versions. That aside, the book offers a wealth of detail and provides what is probably the most comprehensive single-volume overview of Korean history in English. However, the historiography is limited to the listing and description of events. There is little analysis and the reader will, as I had to, need to read a number of additional and more specialised sources in order to understand why things happened as they did. Professor Yi's book is a good place to start learning about Korean history.
14 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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JamesD
3.0 out of 5 stars Too detailed
Reviewed in Spain on March 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
I find this book difficult to read and not great for an overview of Korean history.
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SGL
5.0 out of 5 stars Searched for a year for a good history of Korea
Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
I have been searching for over a year for a good English language history of Korea. Fianlly had this book recommended to me by a Korean Literature Specialist. Just started reading but looks to be excellent. It's a little "academic" so it is a focused read; however, I am very happy with this purchase.
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Laura
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good!
Reviewed in Italy on October 9, 2013
Verified Purchase
Questo libro è ben scritto ed è completo e molto preciso, tuttavia alcune traduzioni di nomi e dinastie sono errate o differenti da quelle di altri testi, probabilmente è stato usato un metodo di traduzione particolare. Resta comunque un buon libro. Consigliato
One person found this helpful
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