The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History [Paperback]

Don Oberdorfer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 17, 1999

The struggle between the two Koreas has repeatedly claimed the headlines of the world in acts of terrorism and heroism, showdowns over nuclear weapons programs on both sides of the lines, the sudden deaths of leaders, and historic turning points in the relationship with the outside powers of Japan, Russia, and China.Don Oberdorfer lived through many of these crises as a journalist for the Washington Post. Building on his extensive experience, many previously unavailable documents, and unparalleled access to the leadership circles of the two Korean states and the great powers, he has written a gripping narrative history of Korea’s travails and triumphs over the past quarter century. The involvement of the outside world—including a chilling account of the nuclear showdown that brought the United States perilously close to war with North Korea in 1994—receives extensive treatment and special emphasis.Korea represents the last vestige of the Cold War. The Two Koreas places that political tension within a historical context, looking at democratic South Korea and communist North Korea through the lens of the past twenty-five years. Oberdorfer’s work is the definitive text of contemporary Korea.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (January 17, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465087922
• ISBN-13: 978-0465087921
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,350,904 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely readable -- a valuable addition to my library, April 20, 2005

By 

Joe the Critic (San Jose Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History (Paperback)

I was pleasantly surprised at how well-written this book is. Oberdorfer knows his subject, and he is clearly a top-knotch journalist. Unlike a previous reveiewer, I don't find his writing dry at all -- compared to most history books, it is gripping and entertaining, and does a good job of describing the key players and major events without bogging down in trivia.

Having grown up during the 70's and 80's (and having lost a relative to the Korean conflict), I'm fascinated to learn more about the events that were unfolding at the periphery of American consciousness during the administrations of Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., and Clinton. Despite recent developments in North Korea's nuclear standoff, the book doesn't feel out of date, as the situation today is little different than when this book was written.

Highly recommended for those with an interest in East Asia, international affairs, or geopolitics.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Contemporary readable history of modern Korea, December 24, 1997

By 

Kurt Veggeberg (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History (Hardcover)

I had the good fortune to read this book while I was in Korea during the recent presidential election and currency devaluation. The background on Kim Dae Jung, the president elect, made my time in Korea more interesting. The author retells in detail how the peninsula was almost embroiled in war over the tree cutting incident in the DMZ along with many other chilling stories that were difficult to fully understand when they were happening. Well worth reading if you are interested in what is happening in modern Korea.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and interesting but a bit dry, July 25, 2001

By 

S. Bowman (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History (Paperback)

overall, it is a very good book. It has tons of information, and one learns just how precarious the Korean Penisula has been since the Armistace back in 1953 (i think that's the correct year). The only issue I have with the book is it is a bit on the dry side and it is clear a journalist wrote the book. That is, it does not go in-depth much, but instead just spits out the facts and tells it like it happened. In other words, don't expect much analysis of the events or the people involved in those events.