Korea: Tradition & Transformation 2Nd Edition

Korea: Tradition & Transformation A History of the Korean People, is the most comprehensive history of the Korean people written in English. It offers Western readers a synthesis of the latest and best scholarship on Korean history and culture from the earliest times to the present.

Prof. Nahm's work presents a fresh and scholarly analysis of the origins, the growth and never-ending process of changes in political, economic, social and cultural patterns of the Korean society throughout the ages, as well as historical and contemporary interactions of the Korean people with their neighbors near and far.

The author clearly and concisely explains the ways the Koreans created their own tradition first, and then adopted and assimilated ideologies and social patterns from their immediate neighbor namely China, into their own, yet maintaining their cultural roots, racial homogeneity, and national characteristics. The indomitable spirit of the people, their strong love for their land, and their desires to achieve both spiritual and material progress are emphasized in the book.

The strength of the book lies in its balance. Unlike most other Korean history books, this book covers all aspects of the history of the Korean people their art, literature, religion, and political, economic and social experiences from the ancient times to the present. It is noteworthy that the history and various aspects of national development of both North and South Korea are dealt with in the book.