Eye on Korea: An Insider Account of Korean-American Relations (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) [Hardcover]

James V. Young (Author), William Stueck (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

JAMES V. YOUNG is currently president of Pacific Associates, a consulting firm based in Pinehurst, North Carolina.WILLIAM STUECK, who lives in Athens, Georgia, is author of The Korean War: An International History.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: TAMU Press; 1 edition (July 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585442623
• ISBN-13: 978-1585442621
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,057,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an interesting read for both Koreaphiles and politicos, August 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Eye on Korea: An Insider Account of Korean-American Relations (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) (Hardcover)

Though a part of Texas A&M's military history series, this book often serves as more of a study in the political conflicts between the Defense and State Departments. As a result, it details enough of the conflict between the two to intrigue both Koreaphiles and those interested in the political process and posturing.

The author was in the unique position to know fully about both positions during key moments in Korea's modern history. The result is a read that is sometimes funny, often insightful, and always interesting.

Perhaps what is best about this book is that while it helps to have a basic understanding of Korea's recent history in advance, it is by no means required. Young's straightforward style makes otherwise complicated issues seem as simple as night and day. It also provides a wealth of information in under 200 pages without overwhelming the reader.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable Modern History, August 7, 2003

By 

Matthew V. Smith (Seoul, ROK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eye on Korea: An Insider Account of Korean-American Relations (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) (Hardcover)

Eye on Korea is a tremendous contribution to modern Korean history. It is a very easy and entertaining read. It will appeal to those who know nothing about Korea, and to those of us who have lived or travelled there extensively. There is little to no jargon, things that would not be familiar to the average reader are explained quickly and clearly.

I have spent the better part of my adult life in Korea or working with Koreans. I was surprised and delighted by the things I learned by Eye on Korea. It filled many gaps in my understanding of how things went down in the late 70's and 80's. It was full of names, places and events that I recognized, but had never before had a coherent picture of how they all related. Eye on Korea provides that coherence.

If I am forced to complain about anything, it would be the brevity. I would have enjoyed a couple hundred more pages. It's evident from what Col. Young tells us--and from what he doesn't tell us--that he knows enough to fill volume upon volume.

This is a MUST BUY for anyone interested in Modern Korea or Korean-US relations.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Keen Eye of Experience, August 7, 2003

By 

Gordon Cucullu (St. Augustine, Florida, United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eye on Korea: An Insider Account of Korean-American Relations (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) (Hardcover)

Colonel Jim Young has developed a keen analytical eye for things Korean developed over a multi-decade career of study, friendship and focus on this fascinating but enigmatic country. Young uses the vehicle of autobiography to detail some of the high points in the modern developmental history of South Korea and along the way opens the curtain to an insider's view of US governmental machinations. The Colonel had an uncanny way of being involved over many years with key events in US-Korean relations such as threatened troop withdrawals under President Carter, assassination of President Park, the death of dictator Kim Il-sung in North Korea, the murder of US Army officers and many, many other events. Final chapters discuss nuclear North Korea and the complexity of the tense situation there.
This book offers the reader a fresh insight to events and analysis not seen elsewhere. It is written for a non-technical audience but is valuable for the cognoscenti as well. I recommend 'Eye on Korea' most enthusiastically to every concerned person who wonders what the future holds for America in the vital but tumultuous environment of the Korean Peninsula.