A Concise History of Premodern Korea: From Antiquity through the Nineteenth Century

by Michael J. Seth

Overview

Now in a fully revised and updated edition including new primary sources and illustrations, this engaging text provides a concise history of Korea from the beginning of human settlement in the region through the late nineteenth century. Michael J. Seth’s thorough chronological narrative equally emphasizes social, cultural, and political history. Students will be especially drawn to descriptions of everyday life for both elite and nonelite members of society during various historical periods. The book emphasizes how Korean history can be understood as part of an interactive sphere that includes three basic areas: China, Japan, and the Manchurian/Central Asian region. Throughout, Seth draws comparisons between developments in Korea and those in neighboring regions. All readers looking for a balanced, knowledgeable history will be richly rewarded with this clear and cogent book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538174579
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/12/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	316
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael J. Seth is professor of history at James Madison University.

Table of Contents

Contents

Primary Source Readings

Preface to the Second Edition

Acknowledgments

Maps

Introduction

1 The Origins

The Koreans

Early Inhabitants

The Age of Rice Farming Begins

Sources for Early Korea

Chosŏn

The Chinese Commanderies

Chinese Commanderies and Their Neighbors: The Northern Peoples

Chinese Commanderies and Their Neighbors: The Southern Peoples

Politics of the Third Century

Korea in Global Perspective: 5,000 Years of History

Notes

2 The Period of the Three Kingdoms, Fourth Century to 676

The Emergence of the Three Kingdoms

The Wa and Mimana

Korea and Northeast Asia in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries

Culture and Society of the Three Kingdoms

The Bone-Ranks, the Hwabaek, and the Hwarang

The Changing Environment of the Late Sixth and Seventh Centuries

The Unification of Korea under Silla

Korea in Global Perspective: State Formation

Notes

3 Late Silla, 676 to 935

The Peninsular Kingdom

Consolidation of Central Monarchical Rule under Silla, 676–780

Silla and the Chinese Model

Supporting the Silla State

Silla Society

Religion and Aristocratic Culture

Silla and Its Neighbors

Parhae

The Decline of Silla

The Later Three Kingdoms

Korea in Global Perspective: Silla’s Rise and Fall

Notes

4 Koryŏ, 935 to 1170

The New Koryŏ State

Koryŏ in East Asia

Internal Politics, 935–1170

Koryŏ Culture

The Samguk Sagi

Koryŏ Society

Korea in Global Perspective: Koryŏ’s Examination System

Notes

5 Military Rulers and Mongol Invaders, 1170 to 1392

Military Rule

Sŏn Buddhism

Korea, Japan, and Feudal Europe

The Mongol Invasions

The Legacy of the Mongol Period

Late Koryŏ Society

The End of the Koryŏ

Late Koryŏ Culture

The Rise of Neo-Confucianism

Korea in Global Perspective: The Mongols and Korea

Notes

6 The Neo-Confucian Revolution and the Chosŏn State, 1392 to the Eighteenth Century

Establishing the Yi Dynasty

The Neo-Confucianist Project

The Chosŏn State

The Censorate and the Classics Mat

Historians

The Examination System

Education

Agricultural Improvements and the State

Military and Foreign Affairs

The Japanese and Manchu Invasions

Competition for Power among the Elite

Chosŏn Politics in Perspective

Korea in Global Perspective: Chosŏn as an Ideologically Driven State

Notes

7 Chosŏn Society

The Family

Women During the Yi Dynasty

Social Structure

Slaves and Outcastes

Crime and Punishment

Religious Beliefs and Practices

Philosophy

Arts, Literature, and Science

Technology and Inventions

Korea in Global Perspective: Women in Korea

Korea in Global Perspective: Chosŏn’s Social Hierarchy

Notes

8 Late Chosŏn, Early Eighteenth Century to 1876

The Politics of Late Chosŏn

Late Chosŏn and the Confucian World Order

Korean Travelers to China and Japan

Taxation and Reform

Agriculture

Commerce and Trade

Cultural Flowering of Late Chosŏn

Sirhak

Everyday Life

Korea in Global Perspective: Korea’s Place in the Early Modern World

Notes

 9 Korea in the Nineteenth Century

Korea in the Nineteenth Century: The “Hermit Kingdom”

Internal Problems in the Nineteenth Century

Early Contacts with the West

External Threats and “Western Learning”

The Opening of Korea

The Legacy of Traditional Korea

Korea in Global Perspective: The Hermit Kingdom?

Notes

Appendix: Romanization

Glossary of Korean Words

Annotated Selected Bibliography

Index

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Michael Seth’s text remains the most accessible overview of Korean history. Going beyond the platitudes about the ‘land of the morning calm’ or the ‘hermit kingdom,’ it is a useful and clear guide to the Korean peninsula’s turbulent past.

John Lie

Michael Seth’s A Concise History of Korea remains the best overview of Korean history in the English language. Both thorough and readable, it is the ideal book to use in undergraduate-level Korean history courses. It is also great for anybody who wants to know more about almost any aspect of Korean history.

Gregg Brazinsky

Whenever I'm asked to recommend a textbook on Korean history, I always put Michael Seth’s A Concise History of Korea at the top of my list. Now in its third edition, the book provides the most up-to-date survey of Korean history, introducing fresh research and interpretations. Seth places Korea clearly within the East Asian world and highlights the unique aspects of Korea’s past. As with the previous edition, Michael Seth succeeds in this history in every way.

Edward Shultz

Michael Seth's A Concise History of Korea stands as the singular authoritative history of Korea for the undergraduate audience. Seth makes the story of the Korean nation come alive. Comprehensive and engaging, Seth's work is an excellent text for college students new to the subject.

Courtney A. Short

Michael Seth's text remains the most accessible overview of Korean history. Going beyond the platitudes about the 'land of the morning calm' or the 'hermit kingdom, ' it is a useful and clear guide to the Korean peninsula's turbulent past.

Michael Seth's A Concise History of Korea remains the best overview of Korean history in the English language. Both thorough and readable, it is the ideal book to use in undergraduate-level Korean history courses. It is also great for anybody who wants to know more about almost any aspect of Korean history.

Whenever I'm asked to recommend a textbook on Korean history, I always put Michael Seth's A Concise History of Korea at the top of my list. Now in its third edition, the book provides the most up-to-date survey of Korean history, introducing fresh research and interpretations. Seth places Korea clearly within the East Asian world and highlights the unique aspects of Korea's past. As with the previous edition, Michael Seth succeeds in this history in every way.

From the Publisher

The second edition of Korea expert Seth’s two-volume work provides an extremely dense history of Korea from antiquity to the present, focusing on economic and state or national formation. The first volume, subtitled From Antiquity through the Late Nineteenth Century, includes more information on art, literature, religion, and philosophy than the second volume, subtitled From the Late Nineteenth Century to the Present, but both would have benefited from illustrations beyond the maps provided before the introductions, particularly in chapters 7 and 8 of the first volume. Whether exploring the rise and influence of Buddhism and Confucianism on the Korean people as they developed a homogeneous society or illuminating the distinctions between the arbitrarily divided peninsula into the radically divergent ‘lifestyles and living standards’ separating North and South Korea, Seth provides a tremendous amount of material within a few succinct paragraphs. The title a ‘concise history’ is quite apt, and Seth’s writing style and use of sources ensures the work a prominent place within the historiography, particularly for undergraduates. Both volumes benefit from revisions from the first edition that reflect the rapid development of Korean historical understanding in the West along with chapter essays on Korea in global perspective, which focus on specific issues of economic development: state formation and ideology in its many forms, foreign policy from antiquity to the present in East Asia, imperialism and colonialism, education and meritocracy, and warfare. Seth also includes a selection of primary source extracts relating to ideas or individuals discussed at the end of each chapter. Excellent maps in both volumes, appendixes providing information on Romanization, a glossary of Korean words, and an annotated select bibliography. Good use of chapter notes.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. All undergraduate and graduate collections.

CHOICE

Michael Seth's book provides a clear and accessible survey of Korean history, deftly covering all of the key topics that should be included in a course on the subject. I would highly recommend it to anybody looking to gain a stronger understanding of the historical development of Korea.

Gregg A. Brazinsky

The second edition of Korea expert Seth’s two-volume work provides an extremely dense history of Korea from antiquity to the present, focusing on economic and state or national formation. The first volume, subtitled From Antiquity through the Late Nineteenth Century, includes more information on art, literature, religion, and philosophy than the second volume, subtitled From the Late Nineteenth Century to the Present, but both would have benefited from illustrations beyond the maps provided before the introductions, particularly in chapters 7 and 8 of the first volume. Whether exploring the rise and influence of Buddhism and Confucianism on the Korean people as they developed a homogeneous society or illuminating the distinctions between the arbitrarily divided peninsula into the radically divergent ‘lifestyles and living standards’ separating North and South Korea, Seth provides a tremendous amount of material within a few succinct paragraphs. The title a ‘concise history’ is quite apt, and Seth’s writing style and use of sources ensures the work a prominent place within the historiography, particularly for undergraduates. Both volumes benefit from revisions from the first edition that reflect the rapid development of Korean historical understanding in the West along with chapter essays on Korea in global perspective, which focus on specific issues of economic development: state formation and ideology in its many forms, foreign policy from antiquity to the present in East Asia, imperialism and colonialism, education and meritocracy, and warfare. Seth also includes a selection of primary source extracts relating to ideas or individuals discussed at the end of each chapter. Excellent maps in both volumes, appendixes providing information on Romanization, a glossary of Korean words, and an annotated select bibliography. Good use of chapter notes.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. All undergraduate and graduate collections.

Choice