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Recommended For You

The Park Chung Hee Era

The Transformation of South Korea

by Chang Jae Baik, Jorge I. Domínguez, Yong-Sup Han, Sung Gul Hong, Paul D. Hutchcroft, Hyug Baeg Im, Byung-joon Jun, Eun Mee Kim, Hyung-A Kim, Joo Hong Kim, Taehyun Kim, Yong-Jick Kim, Jung-Hoon Lee, Min Yong Lee, Nae-Young Lee, Young Jo Lee, Seok-jin Lew, Chung-in Moon, Gregory W. Noble, Gil-Sung Park, Myung-Lim Park, Sang-young Rhyu ...

In 1961 South Korea was mired in poverty. By 1979 it had a powerful industrial economy and a vibrant civil society in the making, which would lead to a democratic breakthrough eight years later. The transformation took place during the years of Park Chung Hee's presidency. Park seized power in a coup in 1961 and ruled as a virtual dictator until his assassination in October 1979. He is credited ... Read more

$26.99 USD

In 1961 South Korea was mired in poverty. By 1979 it had a powerful industrial economy and a vibrant civil society in the making, which would lead to a democratic breakthrough eight years later. The transformation took place during the years of Park Chung Hee's presidency. Park seized power in a coup in 1961 and ruled as a virtual dictator until his assassination in October 1979. He is credited
... Read more
Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader

North Korea and the Kim Dynasty

by Bradley K. Martin ...

Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader offers in-depth portraits of North Korea's two ruthless and bizarrely Orwellian leaders, Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il. Lifting North Korea's curtain of self-imposed isolation, this book will take readers inside a society, that to a Westerner, will appear to be from another planet. Subsisting on a diet short on food grains and long on lies, North Koreans ... Read more

$12.99 USD

Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader offers in-depth portraits of North Korea's two ruthless and bizarrely Orwellian leaders, Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il. Lifting North Korea's curtain of self-imposed isolation, this book will take readers inside a society, that to a Westerner, will appear to be from another planet. Subsisting on a diet short on food grains and long on lies, North Koreans
... Read more
Korean Messiah

Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea's Personality Cult

by Jonathan Cheng ...

FINALIST FOR THE 2026 CUNDILL HISTORY PRIZE • A NEW YORKER BEST BOOK OF 2026 SO FAR • A landmark history of North Korea, told through the rise of the Kim dynasty and its surprising ties to American Christianity—a spectacular, penetrating account of the Hermit Kingdom“How do personality cults take hold? What happens when leaders mix politics and faith to demand immense sacrifices? Jonathan Cheng’s ... Read more

$13.69 USD

FINALIST FOR THE 2026 CUNDILL HISTORY PRIZE • A NEW YORKER BEST BOOK OF 2026 SO FAR • A landmark history of North Korea, told through the rise of the Kim dynasty and its surprising ties to American Christianity—a spectacular, penetrating account of the Hermit Kingdom“How do personality cults take hold? What happens when leaders mix politics and faith to demand immense sacrifices? Jonathan Cheng’s
... Read more
Dawn of Labor

by Nohae Park ...

Translated by Cheehyung Harrison Kim, Brother Anthony, of Taizé ...

Series series Hawai‘i Studies on Korea
Dawn of Labor, at last translated into English, is the legendary South Korean poet Park Nohae’s first collection, published in 1984 when he was twenty-seven years old. Despite a government ban, the book sold a million copies and propelled Park Nohae as the generation’s leading resistance poet. Dawn of Labor is an enduring classic that shook a society, transformed lives, and demonstrated the power ... Read more

$23.79 USD

Dawn of Labor, at last translated into English, is the legendary South Korean poet Park Nohae’s first collection, published in 1984 when he was twenty-seven years old. Despite a government ban, the book sold a million copies and propelled Park Nohae as the generation’s leading resistance poet. Dawn of Labor is an enduring classic that shook a society, transformed lives, and demonstrated the power
... Read more
A Fractured Liberation

Korea under US Occupation

by Kornel Chang ...

A New Yorker Best Book of the YearShortlist, Cundill History PrizeA poignant return to Korea’s forgotten “Asian Spring”—a moment ripe with possibility denied by the postwar US military occupation.When Japanese imperial rule ended in August 1945, the Korean peninsula erupted with hopes that had been bottled up for forty years. New mother Chŏn Sukhŭi marveled at the news, envisioning her son growing ... Read more

$21.59 USD

A New Yorker Best Book of the YearShortlist, Cundill History PrizeA poignant return to Korea’s forgotten “Asian Spring”—a moment ripe with possibility denied by the postwar US military occupation.When Japanese imperial rule ended in August 1945, the Korean peninsula erupted with hopes that had been bottled up for forty years. New mother Chŏn Sukhŭi marveled at the news, envisioning her son growing
... Read more
The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot

A True Story About the Birth of Tyranny in North Korea

by Blaine Harden ...

From the New York Times bestselling author of Escape From Camp 14, Blaine Harden tells the riveting story of Kim Il Sung's rise to power, and the brave North Korean fighter pilot who escaped the prison state and delivered the first MiG-15 into American handsIn The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot, New York Times bestselling author Blaine Harden tells the riveting story of how Kim Il Sung grabbed ... Read more

$12.79 USD

From the New York Times bestselling author of Escape From Camp 14, Blaine Harden tells the riveting story of Kim Il Sung's rise to power, and the brave North Korean fighter pilot who escaped the prison state and delivered the first MiG-15 into American handsIn The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot, New York Times bestselling author Blaine Harden tells the riveting story of how Kim Il Sung grabbed
... Read more
The Films of Bong Joon Ho

by Nam Lee ...

Series series Global Film Directors
Bong Joon Ho won the Oscar® for Best Director for Parasite (2019), which also won Best Picture, the first foreign film to do so, and two other Academy Awards. Parasite was the first Korean film to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes. These achievements mark a new career peak for the director, who first achieved wide international acclaim with 2006’s monster movie The Host and whose forays into English ... Read more

$21.59 USD

Bong Joon Ho won the Oscar® for Best Director for Parasite (2019), which also won Best Picture, the first foreign film to do so, and two other Academy Awards. Parasite was the first Korean film to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes. These achievements mark a new career peak for the director, who first achieved wide international acclaim with 2006’s monster movie The Host and whose forays into English
... Read more
Pacific

Silicon Chips and Surfboards, Coral Reefs and Atom Bombs, Brutal Dictators, Fading Empires, and the Coming Collision of the World's Superpowers

by Simon Winchester ...

One of Library Journal’s 10 Best Books of 2015Following his acclaimed Atlantic and The Men Who United the States, New York Times bestselling author Simon Winchester offers an enthralling biography of the Pacific Ocean and its role in the modern world, exploring our relationship with this imposing force of nature.As the Mediterranean shaped the classical world, and the Atlantic connected Europe to ... Read more

$11.29 USD

One of Library Journal’s 10 Best Books of 2015Following his acclaimed Atlantic and The Men Who United the States, New York Times bestselling author Simon Winchester offers an enthralling biography of the Pacific Ocean and its role in the modern world, exploring our relationship with this imposing force of nature.As the Mediterranean shaped the classical world, and the Atlantic connected Europe to
... Read more
Korea

A Walk Through the Land of Miracles

by Simon Winchester ...

In the late 1980s, New York Times bestselling author Simon Winchester set out on foot to discover the Republic of Korea - from its southern tip to the North Korean border - in order to set the record straight about this enigmatic and elusive land.Fascinating for its vivid presentation of historical and geographic detail, Korea is that rare travel memoir that actually defines a nation and its ... Read more

$12.19 USD

In the late 1980s, New York Times bestselling author Simon Winchester set out on foot to discover the Republic of Korea - from its southern tip to the North Korean border - in order to set the record straight about this enigmatic and elusive land.Fascinating for its vivid presentation of historical and geographic detail, Korea is that rare travel memoir that actually defines a nation and its
... Read more
Korean Sketches

by James Scarth Gale ...

A Presbyterian missionary gives a rare eye-witness account of 19th century KoreaThis eBook edition of Korean Sketches by James Scarth Gale, originally published in 1898, is annotated with historical background and contains detailed Table Of Contents and NavigationWhat's In The BookFirst ImpressionsThe CoolieThe Yalu And BeyondFrom Poverty To RichesThe Korean PonyAcross KoreaThe Korean<... ... Read more

$0.99 USD

A Presbyterian missionary gives a rare eye-witness account of 19th century KoreaThis eBook edition of Korean Sketches by James Scarth Gale, originally published in 1898, is annotated with historical background and contains detailed Table Of Contents and NavigationWhat's In The BookFirst ImpressionsThe CoolieThe Yalu And BeyondFrom Poverty To RichesThe Korean PonyAcross KoreaThe Korean<...
... Read more
A Short History of the Korean War

by James L. Stokesbury ...

This concise military history volume is "an excellent, coherent book that covers the major events of the Korean War admirably" ( Army ).Historian James L. Stokesbury, author of A Short History of World War I and A Short History of World War II, summarizes the important events of the Korean War, citing all the major battles and key players in the conflict."Reducing an entire war to manageab... ... Read more

$12.99 USD

This concise military history volume is "an excellent, coherent book that covers the major events of the Korean War admirably" ( Army ).Historian James L. Stokesbury, author of A Short History of World War I and A Short History of World War II, summarizes the important events of the Korean War, citing all the major battles and key players in the conflict."Reducing an entire war to manageab...
... Read more
Passcode to the Third Floor

An Insider's Account of Life Among North Korea's Political Elite

by Thae Yong-ho ...

Translated by Robert Lauler ...

Thae Yong-ho was a leading North Korean diplomat to the United Kingdom and Northern Europe—until his dramatic defection to South Korea in 2016. In this gripping tell-all, he reveals the inner workings of the North Korean regime and shares the story of his decision to leave.Thae spent nearly three decades working under three generations of the ruling Kim dynasty after entering the foreign service ... Read more

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Thae Yong-ho was a leading North Korean diplomat to the United Kingdom and Northern Europe—until his dramatic defection to South Korea in 2016. In this gripping tell-all, he reveals the inner workings of the North Korean regime and shares the story of his decision to leave.Thae spent nearly three decades working under three generations of the ruling Kim dynasty after entering the foreign service
... Read more
Surviving Imperial Intrigues

Korea’s Struggle for Neutrality amid Empires, 1882–1907

by Sangpil Jin ...

Series series Hawai‘i Studies on Korea
In Surviving Imperial Intrigues, Sangpil Jin explores how successful Korean neutralization could have radically transformed the balance of power equation in East Asia. He conducted multilocational archival work, analyzing documents from the Austro-Hungarian Empire Ministry of Foreign Affairs, British Foreign Office, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, German Foreign Office, Japanese Ministry of ... Read more

$23.79 USD

In Surviving Imperial Intrigues, Sangpil Jin explores how successful Korean neutralization could have radically transformed the balance of power equation in East Asia. He conducted multilocational archival work, analyzing documents from the Austro-Hungarian Empire Ministry of Foreign Affairs, British Foreign Office, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, German Foreign Office, Japanese Ministry of
... Read more
The Hidden History of the Korean War, 1950–1951

by I. F. Stone ...

Series Book 10 - Forbidden Bookshelf
"A great journalist" raises troubling questions about the forgotten war in this courageous, controversial book—with a new introduction by Bruce Cumings ( The Baltimore Sun)."Much about the Korean War is still hidden, and much will long remain hidden. I believe I have succeeded in throwing new light on its origins." —From the author's prefaceIn 1945 US troops arrived in Korea for what would become ... Read more

$12.99 USD

"A great journalist" raises troubling questions about the forgotten war in this courageous, controversial book—with a new introduction by Bruce Cumings ( The Baltimore Sun)."Much about the Korean War is still hidden, and much will long remain hidden. I believe I have succeeded in throwing new light on its origins." —From the author's prefaceIn 1945 US troops arrived in Korea for what would become
... Read more
Korea's Syngman Rhee

An Unauthorized Portrait

by Richard C. Allen ...

This book of Korean history is an unofficial and exceptionally honest biography of South Korea's deposed chief executive, Syngman Rhee.Rhee's career spanned the decades between the late-nineteenth-century period of China's suzerainty in Korea and the revolt of April 1960 and reached a peak of popularity following his country's liberation at the end of World War II. Yet, twelve years later he was ... Read more

$12.39 USD

This book of Korean history is an unofficial and exceptionally honest biography of South Korea's deposed chief executive, Syngman Rhee.Rhee's career spanned the decades between the late-nineteenth-century period of China's suzerainty in Korea and the revolt of April 1960 and reached a peak of popularity following his country's liberation at the end of World War II. Yet, twelve years later he was
... Read more
Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History (Updated)

A Modern History

by Bruce Cumings ...

"Passionate, cantankerous, and fascinating. Rather like Korea itself."--Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times Book ReviewKorea has endured a "fractured, shattered twentieth century," and this updated edition brings Bruce Cumings's leading history of the modern era into the present. The small country, overshadowed in the imperial era, crammed against great powers during the Cold War, and divided and ... Read more

$17.09 USD

"Passionate, cantankerous, and fascinating. Rather like Korea itself."--Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times Book ReviewKorea has endured a "fractured, shattered twentieth century," and this updated edition brings Bruce Cumings's leading history of the modern era into the present. The small country, overshadowed in the imperial era, crammed against great powers during the Cold War, and divided and
... Read more
Yalu River 1950–51

The Chinese spring the trap on MacArthur

by Clayton K. S. Chun ...

Series Book 346 - Campaign
This gripping study details the crisis point of the Korean War: the UN advance across into North Korea and the following Chinese offensive that drove the forces back south of the 38th Parallel.Following the Inchon landings and the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, UN forces crossed the North Korean border on 9 October and moved on the capital Pyongyang. Many in America believed the war would be ... Read more

$18.99 USD

This gripping study details the crisis point of the Korean War: the UN advance across into North Korea and the following Chinese offensive that drove the forces back south of the 38th Parallel.Following the Inchon landings and the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, UN forces crossed the North Korean border on 9 October and moved on the capital Pyongyang. Many in America believed the war would be
... Read more
朝鮮王朝後期錄：黨爭、倭亂與北伐迷夢

by DBK歷史書編輯部 ...

作者簡介｜DBK 歷史書編輯部DBK 歷史書編輯部致力於以深入淺出、清楚易讀的方式，為青少年讀者整理世界各地的重要歷史脈絡。我們相信，歷史不只是年代、戰爭與人名的堆疊，而是一把理解世界如何形成、文明如何交流、人類如何選擇的鑰匙。編輯部以「青少年學習歷史知識的第一本書」為核心定位，將龐大複雜的歷史內容，轉化為有故事感、有畫面感、容易理解的閱讀材料，幫助讀者建立清楚的時代觀、國際觀與文化理解力。目前已出版系列包括：《給青少年的世界歷史》1–10 冊、《給青少年的中國歷史》1–10 冊、《給青少年的日本歷史》1–10 冊、《給青少年的韓國歷史》1–10 冊，以及《給青少年的越南歷史》1–10 冊。未來也將持續推出更多適合青少年閱讀的歷史入門作品，陪伴讀者用一冊一本的方式，慢慢讀懂世界。前言朝鮮王朝後期，指的是約從十七世紀到二十世紀初的朝鮮半島。這段歲月裡，朝鮮經歷了從封閉守成到被迫直面世界巨浪的轉折 ... Read more

$7.99 USD

作者簡介｜DBK 歷史書編輯部DBK 歷史書編輯部致力於以深入淺出、清楚易讀的方式，為青少年讀者整理世界各地的重要歷史脈絡。我們相信，歷史不只是年代、戰爭與人名的堆疊，而是一把理解世界如何形成、文明如何交流、人類如何選擇的鑰匙。編輯部以「青少年學習歷史知識的第一本書」為核心定位，將龐大複雜的歷史內容，轉化為有故事感、有畫面感、容易理解的閱讀材料，幫助讀者建立清楚的時代觀、國際觀與文化理解力。目前已出版系列包括：《給青少年的世界歷史》1–10 冊、《給青少年的中國歷史》1–10 冊、《給青少年的日本歷史》1–10 冊、《給青少年的韓國歷史》1–10 冊，以及《給青少年的越南歷史》1–10 冊。未來也將持續推出更多適合青少年閱讀的歷史入門作品，陪伴讀者用一冊一本的方式，慢慢讀懂世界。前言朝鮮王朝後期，指的是約從十七世紀到二十世紀初的朝鮮半島。這段歲月裡，朝鮮經歷了從封閉守成到被迫直面世界巨浪的轉折
... Read more
The Shadow of Arms

by Hwang Sok-yong ...

A novel of the black markets of the South Vietnamese city of Da Nang during the Vietnam War, based on the author’s experiences as a self-described South Korean mercenary on the side of the South Vietnamese, this is a Vietnam War novel like no other, truly one that sees the war from all sides. Scenes of battle are breathtakingly well told. The plot is thick with intrigue and complex subplots. But ... Read more

$13.69 USD

A novel of the black markets of the South Vietnamese city of Da Nang during the Vietnam War, based on the author’s experiences as a self-described South Korean mercenary on the side of the South Vietnamese, this is a Vietnam War novel like no other, truly one that sees the war from all sides. Scenes of battle are breathtakingly well told. The plot is thick with intrigue and complex subplots. But
... Read more
Escaping North Korea

Defiance and Hope in the World's Most Repressive Country

by Mike Kim ...

The first of its kind, this book provides a unique inside look into the hidden world of ordinary North Koreans. Mike Kim, who worked with refugees on the Chinese border for four years, recounts their experiences of enduring famine, sex-trafficking, and torture, as well as the inspirational stories of those who overcame tremendous adversity to escape the repressive regime of their homeland and make ... Read more

$14.49 USD

The first of its kind, this book provides a unique inside look into the hidden world of ordinary North Koreans. Mike Kim, who worked with refugees on the Chinese border for four years, recounts their experiences of enduring famine, sex-trafficking, and torture, as well as the inspirational stories of those who overcame tremendous adversity to escape the repressive regime of their homeland and make
... Read more
Communication, Digital Media, and Popular Culture in Korea

Contemporary Research and Future Prospects

by Nojin Kwak, Eyun-Jung Ki, Seungahn Nah, Ji-Hyun Ahn, Younghan Cho, Yongick Jeong, Seok Kang, Jeong-Nam Kim, Min-Sun Kim, Narae Kim0, Yeojin Kim1, Yeuseung Kim2, Yong-Chan Kim3, Youna Kim4, Hye-ryeon Lee5, Hye-Jin Paek6, Ahran Park7, Ji Hoon Park8, Namkee Park9, Yoonmo Sang0, Minsun Shim1, Jae-Hwa Shin2, Hye Seung Chung4, Hun Shik Kim5, Shin Dong Kim6, Yu Won Oh7, Chang Sup Park8, Kyu Ho Youm9, Kyong Yoon0, Dal Yong Jin1, Dr, Prof Yung Soo Kim3 ...

In recent decades, Korean communication and media have substantially grown to become some of the most significant segments of Korean society. Since the early 1990s, Korea has experienced several distinctive changes in its politics, economy, and technology, which are directly related to the development of local media and culture. Korea has greatly developed several cutting-edge technologies, such ... Read more

$55.09 USD

In recent decades, Korean communication and media have substantially grown to become some of the most significant segments of Korean society. Since the early 1990s, Korea has experienced several distinctive changes in its politics, economy, and technology, which are directly related to the development of local media and culture. Korea has greatly developed several cutting-edge technologies, such
... Read more
Seoul's Historic Walks in Sketches

by Janghee Lee ...

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 ... Read more

$12.99 USD

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
... Read more
Korean Mind

Understanding Contemporary Korean Culture

by Boye Lafayette De Mente ...

The Koreans: understanding a people and their culture through key words and language.Koreans have a unique character and personality that sets them apart from all other Asians. And although Korean attitudes and behavior may be influenced by the modern world, the Korean mindset is still very much shaped by ancient culture and traditions. As is the case with all ancient cultures created within ... Read more

Was $14.39 USD Now $12.39 USD

The Koreans: understanding a people and their culture through key words and language.Koreans have a unique character and personality that sets them apart from all other Asians. And although Korean attitudes and behavior may be influenced by the modern world, the Korean mindset is still very much shaped by ancient culture and traditions. As is the case with all ancient cultures created within
... Read more
The Impossible State

North Korea, Past and Future

by Victor Cha ...

From a seasoned advisor, "a meaty, fast-paced portrait of North Korean society, economy, politics and foreign policy" ( Foreign Affairs).In The Impossible State, international-policy expert and former Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council Victor Cha pulls back the curtain on this controversial and isolated country, providing the best look yet at North Korea's history, the ... Read more

$2.99 USD

From a seasoned advisor, "a meaty, fast-paced portrait of North Korean society, economy, politics and foreign policy" ( Foreign Affairs).In The Impossible State, international-policy expert and former Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council Victor Cha pulls back the curtain on this controversial and isolated country, providing the best look yet at North Korea's history, the
... Read more

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Recommended For You

Korea eBooks

The Park Chung Hee Era

Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader

Korean Messiah

Dawn of Labor

A Fractured Liberation

The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot

The Films of Bong Joon Ho

Pacific

Korea

Korean Sketches

A Short History of the Korean War

Passcode to the Third Floor

Surviving Imperial Intrigues

The Hidden History of the Korean War, 1950–1951

Korea's Syngman Rhee

Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History (Updated)

Yalu River 1950–51

朝鮮王朝後期錄：黨爭、倭亂與北伐迷夢

The Shadow of Arms

Escaping North Korea

Communication, Digital Media, and Popular Culture in Korea

Seoul's Historic Walks in Sketches

Korean Mind

The Impossible State