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

by Bruce Cumings Ph.D. (Author)

62 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0393327021

ISBN-10: 0393327027

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"Passionate, cantankerous, and fascinating. Rather like Korea itself."--Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times Book Review

Korea 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 decimated by the Korean War, has recently seen the first real hints of reunification. But positive movements forward are tempered by frustrating steps backward. In the late 1990s South Korea survived its most severe economic crisis since the Korean War, forcing a successful restructuring of its political economy. Suffering through floods, droughts, and a famine that cost the lives of millions of people, North Korea has been labeled part of an "axis of evil" by the George W. Bush administration and has renewed its nuclear threats. On both sides Korea seems poised to continue its fractured existence on into the new century, with potential ramifications for the rest of the world. 25 illustrations

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

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Bruce Cumings traces the growth of Korea from a string of competing walled city-states to its present dual nationhood. He examines the ways in which Korean culture has been influenced by Japan and China, and the ways in which it has subtly influenced its more powerful neighbors. Cumings also considers the recent changes in the South, where authoritarianism is giving way to democracy, and in the North, which Cumings depicts as a "socialist corporatist" state more like a neo-Confucian kingdom than a Stalinist regime. Korea's Place in the Sun does much to help Western readers understand the complexities of Korea's past and present. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Cumings's riveting history of modern Korea challenges much received wisdom. Rejecting the verdict of Western historians who support Japan's "modernizing role" in Korea, he characterizes the Japanese occupation (1910-1945) as a callous colonization that fostered underdevelopment, crushed dissent and suppressed indigenous culture. Director of Northwestern University's Center for International and Comparative Studies, the author is highly critical of the U.S. military occupational government (1945-1948), which he blames for bolstering the status quo and laying the groundwork for one of Asia's worst police states. Popular resistance in South Korea, he emphasizes, ultimately transformed an authoritarian regime into a relatively democratic society, while the North, which he has visited extensively, remains a cloistered, family-run, xenophobic garrison state. Yet, drawing on recent scholarship, Cumings argues that North Korea was never a mere Soviet puppet but instead resembled more autonomous communist nations, such as Yugoslavia. His incisive concluding portrait of Korean Americans presents a hardworking, upwardly mobile yet insular, ambivalent group, "in the society but not of it." This spirited, vibrant chronicle is indispensable for understanding modern Korea and its dim prospects for reunification. Photos.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product details

Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton; Updated edition (September 17, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0393327027
ISBN-13: 978-0393327021
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x 9.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #260,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #20 in Books > History > Asia > Korea > South
- #251 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > Asia
- #334 in Books > Textbooks > Social Sciences > Political Science > International Relations

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Customer reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars

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worth reading a second time...or at least once

ByDavid Fairleyon February 7, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I rarely read books more than once. But my continuing interest in all things Korean and my appreciation of Cumings' book induced me to read it a second time.

Cumings has a unique perspective on Korea not just as a scholar, but also as someone who has a personal connection with Korea going back to at least the 1960s. His perspective is not ideological -- not left or right. A good example is his two chapters on modern Korean history. In the first, he presents the positive aspects of the regime of Park Chun Hee, and how Korea went from a 3rd world country to an industrial powerhouse. In the second, he discusses the brutal measures used to get Korea there and the heroism of those who fought it. (He's not ideological, but he's definitely pro-Korean.) He's no fan of North Korea, but does a good job of trying to understand why they are the way they are, and to see the current regime in light of Korean history.

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Good coverage of Korean history

Bymuensteron December 16, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I like the information provided in this book. It quickly covers the ancient kingdoms and how they became Korea, then slows down to focus on more recent history. Cumings seems to be quite knowledgable and does great research, but I do not care for his writing style. Multiple times I found myself groaning or rolling my eyes because of an unnecessary, seemingly conceited reference to an aspect of his personal life. This would be fine if found in the preface, maybe to emphasize his personal ties and how he came to be an expert. But suddenly mentioning his wife's family when talking about a town in modern North Korea did not seem relevant.

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It is a great intro to modern Korean history

ByMatthias Baudineton August 14, 2015

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For those who are beginners in Korean history, this book is for you. It is a great intro to modern Korean history. Provides enough details and information for the reader to have a good grasp on Korean history! Highly recommended!

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Well-written, one-volume comprehensive history of Korea

ByMichael Choion November 5, 2016

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Purchased for a history-lover as a gift, which was greatly appreciated.

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but good analysis

ByJungi Hongon May 21, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

too much talking jumping around past and present but it is worth reading and get some point of views. i just didnt like the fact that Cummings portrayed as just another state rather than a failing mobsters.

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While I found Cumming's writing to be very biased, ...

ByMelanieon February 20, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

While I found Cumming's writing to be very biased, Korea's Place in the Sun is an interesting read. The author's use of emotive language and a mixture of personal experience and historical facts is also interesting.

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More recent info needed

ByNancy Ron February 6, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Interesting book but rather out of date. Would prefer more current information since N. Korea is continually evolving.

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For generalists, attractively written.

ByAmazon Customeron April 1, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Clearly and interestingly written; however too general overall. For those who have little knowledge on Korea, it may serve the purpose; however, not enough analytical approach.

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Most recent customer reviews

Factual book

Good factual book

Published 5 months ago by Gary L Trousil

The Kims are bad, but not THAT bad!

I hated this book after a few chapters - that is, when it became obvious that Cumings' agenda is to defend the Kim Dynasty, while presenting its enemies - Rhee, the ROC and most...Read more

Published 9 months ago by Kurt J. Acker

Author's Biased Attitude Makes for an Offensive Historical Piece

Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History

Korea’s Place in the Sun: A Modern History by Bruce Cumings
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I’m one of those weirdo...Read more

Published 1 year ago by Shafiya Naher

A sharp, uncomfortable analysis of Korean history

This is not the book I would recommend if you are looking for a comprehensive history of Korea before the Japanese occupation.Korea Old and New: A History Read more

Published 1 year ago by Deb Nam-Krane

as a scholar of korean history, the author is irresponsible

At several points throughout the book Bruce Cumings incorporates the use of personal anecdotes to express his views on Korean customs, while also making far too many conjectures...Read more

Published 1 year ago by D.Dohe

Five Stars

Brilliant!

Published 1 year ago by Barbara Werden

Five Stars

A gift for my granddaughter who studies Korean culture

Published 1 year ago by Canadian Lady

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