Rating: 
Summary: Another Masterpiece from Cumings
Review: I was a East Asian Studies concentrator at Harvard College. The author's seminal study, The Origins of the Korean War (Vol. I & II), is THE work for anyone interested in modern Korean history. His scholarship is impeccable and readers benefit from his eloquent and effective writing style. He is very passionate about the subject - I for one welcome it. In Bruce Cumings we do not have a scholar who tries to project objectivity with bland writing. However, because at times his passion covers his writing like a Hudson Bay blanket in a Mississippi summer, the author's work has been subject to criticism that his scholarship is faulty - nothing could be further from the truth. An examination of his footnotes and endnotes shows the work of a scholar. This book is a condensed version of his Origins of the Korean War (the early chapters and the later chapters of the book sandwich a summary of his masterpiece work). If you are going to read ONE history book on modern Korea, this should be the book.
Rating:
Summary: Another Masterpiece from Cumings
Review: I was a East Asian Studies concentrator at Harvard College. The author's seminal study, The Origins of the Korean War (Vol. I & II), is THE work for anyone interested in modern Korean history. His scholarship is impeccable and readers benefit from his eloquent and effective writing style. He is very passionate about the subject - I for one welcome it. In Bruce Cumings we do not have a scholar who tries to project objectivity with bland writing. However, because at times his passion covers his writing like a Hudson Bay blanket in a Mississippi summer, the author's work has been subject to criticism that his scholarship is faulty - nothing could be further from the truth. An examination of his footnotes and endnotes shows the work of a scholar. This book is a condensed version of his Origins of the Korean War (the early chapters and the later chapters of the book sandwich a summary of his masterpiece work). If you are going to read ONE history book on modern Korea, this should be the book.
Rating:
Summary: Another Masterpiece from Cumings
Review: I was a East Asian Studies concentrator at Harvard College. The author's seminal study, The Origins of the Korean War (Vol. I & II), is THE work for anyone interested in modern Korean history. His scholarship is impeccable and readers benefit from his eloquent and effective writing style. He is very passionate about the subject - I for one welcome it. In Bruce Cumings we do not have a scholar who tries to project objectivity with bland writing. However, because at times his passion covers his writing like a Hudson Bay blanket in a Mississippi summer, the author's work has been subject to criticism that his scholarship is faulty - nothing could be further from the truth. An examination of his footnotes and endnotes shows the work of a scholar. This book is a condensed version of his Origins of the Korean War (the early chapters and the later chapters of the book sandwich a summary of his masterpiece work). If you are going to read ONE history book on modern Korea, this should be the book.
Rating:
Summary: EMINENTLY READABLE. IRRESISTIBLE.
Review: I was warned against Prf. Cumings and his "unwholesome" views by some credible and respectable people. But when I asked them if they had actually read this work, I found out, as I had already suspected, that not one of them had! Naturally, I HAD TO satisfy my curiosity about this infamous author. AND I AM SO GLAD I DID. I know more for having read it. And reading it was so enjoyable. Indeed, one of the most impressive aspects of this book is that it is so WELL WRITTEN. His prose is stylish and elegant. Do not expect of him the tedious and ponderous grandiosity adopted by the run-of-the-mill historians. His sentences are precise, energetic, and fluid. And what's more, I was charmed by his irrepressible wit. Indeed, it rendered reading through the all too many dreadful passages in Korea's history somewhat less unpleasant. Yes, he is definitely opinionated (and isn't that the whole point of a historian's writing about alleged facts anyway?) but very charmingly so. His refreshing candor and avowed passions for his beloved subject is disarming, and touching. As for the contents, they were shocking, to say the least. Take it from a Korean American who attended the draconian South Korean schools during the Park Chung-Hee regime; one becomes VERY skeptical when it comes to Korean "history". And I say as a skeptic that he has dug up some interesting facts, and I do believe that he did not manufacture them. Compared to the sloppily documented (if at all) slop they gave me in schools and the sleazy, bogus stuff circulating in Korean periodicals and papers, this version of history is far more plausible. And definitely possible - actually, make that probable - and certainly more compellingly presented. Also of interests are his sources. He cites many works I had never heard of before, for some reason or other. And there are many. Just for these alone this book should be highly recommended. *** Warning! You may get royally ticked off, especially if you are of Korean heritage or naive enough to trust that justice and wisdom prevail in this world. And I'd like to add, as a Korean American, that it is a wonderful change to actually read a book on Korea by a non Korean-born person who actually does "know all about Korea". I am particularly appreciative of the fact that he kept taking words right out of my mouth regarding the patronizing Western attitudes, especially from the likes of Beatrice Webb, who kept calling the Korean race "horrid", "low vertebrates," etc. When I emigrated to this country in '79, the only books I could find in my school library on Korea were written by people such as she. I was twelve and I shook with an impotent rage when I came across such ignorant remarks from such half-educated, narrow-minded, "Christians" abroad, out to "help" a benighted yellow race but only succeeding in blinding people back home about what was really out there - people just like them struggling to modernize.
Rating: 
Summary: An important work
Review: In writing a modern history of Korea one of the greatest challenges would be in maintaining a balanced viewpoint. This is especially so of any examination of the past 50 years of Korean history which would involve to a high degree deciding on where to place the blame and to whom to give the credit. Such questions asked might include "Who started the Korean War?"; "What were the causes of Korea's economic 'miracle'?"; and "Just how crazy is Kim Jong Il?" Bruce Cumings's book is interesting in that it exposes the root of a great many misunderstandings between America and Korea(both north and south), misunderstandings which often led to serious blunders if not outright tragedies. Part of the blame he places on the ignorance of the American press, which fed into the idea of North Korea as a rogue state and perpetuated it to the American public; hence America often adopted a misguided, if not dangerous policy towards the North. In addition he places some blame on Americans themselves who go about their lives with almost total indifference towards Korea, a country where millions of families have been separated for over 50 years, where there are still more than 30,000 US soldiers posted, and in which peace between the North and South has almost been entirely dependent on US foreign policy. Although some people may find the book slightly uneven in its analysis, overall Cumings does a good job of providing the reader with an insightful look at the underpinnings of modern Korean society and the main figures of Korean politics following World War II. However, the book (which was published in 1997) does not include any of the incredibly important dvelopments of the past 5 years: the 97 economic crisis; Kim Dae Jung's election as president; North Korea's launching of a rocket over Japan; the peace summit in Pyoungyang; and Kim's winning of the Nobel Peace Prize. It also fails to mention anything of the supposedly 1 million North Korean lives that have been lost to famine during this time. All of these things I'm sure will be included in an updated version at some point. If Cumings views are unorthodox, they are necessarily so. Too much of American foreign policy concerning Korea has been based on ignorance and been executed with muscle rather than diplomacy. This book stands as counterpoint to those which have often failed to notice or disclose the essence of Korean history, which is Koreans themselves. Although Cumings may misstep here and there--at one point he states that Korean high school graduates have equivalent skills to American college juniors--he's heading in the right direction, trying to open up discussion and stimiluate debate. He always does this honestly and for the most part fairly. His highly readable prose combined with his skills as a scholar make this an important book.
Rating:
Summary: An important work
Review: In writing a modern history of Korea one of the greatest challenges would be in maintaining a balanced viewpoint. This is especially so of any examination of the past 50 years of Korean history which would involve to a high degree deciding on where to place the blame and to whom to give the credit. Such questions asked might include "Who started the Korean War?"; "What were the causes of Korea's economic 'miracle'?"; and "Just how crazy is Kim Jong Il?" Bruce Cumings's book is interesting in that it exposes the root of a great many misunderstandings between America and Korea(both north and south), misunderstandings which often led to serious blunders if not outright tragedies. Part of the blame he places on the ignorance of the American press, which fed into the idea of North Korea as a rogue state and perpetuated it to the American public; hence America often adopted a misguided, if not dangerous policy towards the North. In addition he places some blame on Americans themselves who go about their lives with almost total indifference towards Korea, a country where millions of families have been separated for over 50 years, where there are still more than 30,000 US soldiers posted, and in which peace between the North and South has almost been entirely dependent on US foreign policy. Although some people may find the book slightly uneven in its analysis, overall Cumings does a good job of providing the reader with an insightful look at the underpinnings of modern Korean society and the main figures of Korean politics following World War II. However, the book (which was published in 1997) does not include any of the incredibly important dvelopments of the past 5 years: the 97 economic crisis; Kim Dae Jung's election as president; North Korea's launching of a rocket over Japan; the peace summit in Pyoungyang; and Kim's winning of the Nobel Peace Prize. It also fails to mention anything of the supposedly 1 million North Korean lives that have been lost to famine during this time. All of these things I'm sure will be included in an updated version at some point. If Cumings views are unorthodox, they are necessarily so. Too much of American foreign policy concerning Korea has been based on ignorance and been executed with muscle rather than diplomacy. This book stands as counterpoint to those which have often failed to notice or disclose the essence of Korean history, which is Koreans themselves. Although Cumings may misstep here and there--at one point he states that Korean high school graduates have equivalent skills to American college juniors--he's heading in the right direction, trying to open up discussion and stimiluate debate. He always does this honestly and for the most part fairly. His highly readable prose combined with his skills as a scholar make this an important book.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting view on Korea, but questionable historical facts
Review: It was very interesting to see rather different view on Korea. Maybe it's about time somebody getting away from the conventional view on modern Korean history as just "tragic". He discusses many aspects of modern Korean history, especially the outside influences from US, Japan and China. I agree on most of his points on modern history, however his knowledge on ancient Korean history is very questionable. Relationships among three East Asian nations: China, Korea and Japan were not as simple as the author suggests. For instance, Bruce Cumings over amplifies the effect of Japanese cultural influence on Korea while the truth is that till mid-19th century it was minimal if not zero. Until mid-19th century, Korea has been influenced by Japan militarily, but not culturally. Even after Imjinwaeran(the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592), unlike the usual situation where victims become the recipients of the aggressor's culture, it was reverse in this case. Japan became the recipient as she intentionally captured Korean scholars and artisans and brought them to Japan. However, it's not to say that Korea was never influenced by the Japanese culture. Ever since Japan became the military superpower in the 20th century and annexed Korea, Japanese culture has been the most influential for Korea. Once the author gets into relationship between Korea and China, it gets more problematic. But because it's so complicated I can't really explain it here.. Therefore, my point is: I recommend this book but read with caution on some historical facts..
Rating:
Summary: Interesting view on Korea, but questionable historical facts
Review: It was very interesting to see rather different view on Korea. Maybe it's about time somebody getting away from the conventional view on modern Korean history as just "tragic". He discusses many aspects of modern Korean history, especially the outside influences from US, Japan and China. I agree on most of his points on modern history, however his knowledge on ancient Korean history is very questionable. Relationships among three East Asian nations: China, Korea and Japan were not as simple as the author suggests. For instance, Bruce Cumings over amplifies the effect of Japanese cultural influence on Korea while the truth is that till mid-19th century it was minimal if not zero. Until mid-19th century, Korea has been influenced by Japan militarily, but not culturally. Even after Imjinwaeran(the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592), unlike the usual situation where victims become the recipients of the aggressor's culture, it was reverse in this case. Japan became the recipient as she intentionally captured Korean scholars and artisans and brought them to Japan. However, it's not to say that Korea was never influenced by the Japanese culture. Ever since Japan became the military superpower in the 20th century and annexed Korea, Japanese culture has been the most influential for Korea. Once the author gets into relationship between Korea and China, it gets more problematic. But because it's so complicated I can't really explain it here.. Therefore, my point is: I recommend this book but read with caution on some historical facts..
Rating:
Summary: a corrective to nationalist propaganda & other simplicities
Review: Korea has a population nearly as big as Germany's, and the South is one of the world's largest economies - often (and misleadingly) cited as a model for other developing countries. The Korean peninsula has seen some of the most intensive and continuous American interference over the past 60 years of anywhere in the world. Today, American belligerence and North Korean obstinancy have pushed the region close to a disastrous conflict. Yet Americans know virtually nothing about this land or its people. Bruce Cumings's survey of Korean history confronts head-on this ignorance - and many of the preconceptions that go with it. On the one hand, he provides an engrossing and well-written narrative concentrating on the last 150 years of Korean history, informed and enlivened by his own experiences in both North and South. On the other, he sets out to challenge conventional wisdom on several key issues. Other reviewers have referred to Cumings's "leftist bias", but this is much too simple. What Cumings is doing is attacking the unexamined narratives and ideologies of his readers, both American and Korean. Thus he lays out a sympathetic explanation of the traditional Korean value system, which emphasized hierarchy and the proper relationships between superior and subordinate. He explains Japanese imperialism not as pure and ahistorical evil, but as a process of exploitation that was not only a national catastrophe, but also part of the globe-spanning disruption of existing economic and social relations that we call modernization. He shows that the Korean war was not an abstract battle between Communism and Freedom, but a very complicated civil war between diverse elements of the left (not only the government of the North, but also independent, grassroots elements seeking local democracy and a fairer distribution of land) and the right (composed mainly of a small section of Japanese collaborators and large landowners who were organized by the US to repress the popular socialist movements in the South). He exposes South Korea's "economic miracle" not as a triumph of democracy and free markets, but of authoritarian state planning. This proved to be both a major accomplishment for the nation and a terrible hardship for those who supplied the labor that made it possible. Perhaps most challenging for his American readers, Cumings describes the terrible devastation that the US turned on the Korean peninsula during the civil war. Gut-wrenching images of the indiscriminate bombing that leveled the North's urban areas and numerous other atrocities like blowing up dams are contrasted with the cool, rational justifications US officials made for engaging in massive terrorism against the civilians of both North and South. Cumings's method is to emphasize those realities that are suppressed or denied in mainstream accounts of Korean history. In the midst of the current crisis, where our media and leaders portray North Korea - isolated by the most powerful country in the world and seeking to use what leverage it has to secure guarantees against a US attack - as irrational and aggressive, it might be useful to read accounts that are dismissed as "revisionist" by those seeking to uphold received truths or the purity of "our side".
Rating:
Summary: A Dialectic Narrative of Modern Korea, Quite Convincing!
Review: Mr. Cumings is one of foreign historians I belive, and this book again quite satisfies me. Especially, his international, dialectic pespectives help me understand complex dynamics of two Koreas. Well, I have learned much from reading this one, and thanks to his interesting narrative techniques, I enjoyed it a lot, too. As a scholar of South Korea, I want to recommend this book to everybody, not only foreign intellectuals interested in Korea, but also some of South Koreans who have not been released yet from simple, one-sided historical myths about Modern Korea.
| 
