Sourcebook of Korean Civilization: From the Seventeenth Century to the Modern

by Peter Lee (Editor)

Overview

This anthology is the most ambitious, comprehensive, and authoritative English-language sourcebook of Korean civilization ever assembled. Encompassing social intellectual, religious, and literary traditions from ancient times through World War II, this collection reveals the grand corpus of thought, beliefs, and customs unique to the Korean people. Volume I features three major periods of Korean history: the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla (57 B.C.--935), Koryo (918--1392), and Early Choson (1392-1600). Each section begins with a broad historical introduction to provide context and perspective, and contains representative writings from the era, with commentary, background, and analysis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231079129
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	03/25/1993
Series:	Introduction to Asian Civilizations
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	750
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.88(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Peter H. Lee is Professor of Korean and Comparative Literature and Chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles.

What People are Saying About This

Michael C. Kalton

The table of contents is, frankly, awesome. This is incomparably advanced beyond anything available in English. The editors are established authorities in their areas.... This book and the scholarship contained in its various introductions and the selections of texts will exercise a greater influence on the field than any other simply because it is a book that virtually everyone will use and rely on for a long time to come.

Editorial Reviews

Despite their position between China and Japan, Koreans have developed a unique culture with a strong sense of national identity. While works in English on Korean art and history have been available for many years, Korean primary source materials in English have not. Lee (Korean and comparative literature, UCLA) and his colleagues have compiled the most extensive English-language anthology of Korean primary sources to date. The work has been produced in two volumes: Volume 1 (1993) covers the period up to the 16th century; Volume 2 covers materials from the 17th century to the modern period. The writings selected for translation include Buddhist scriptures, works of philosophy, contemporary histories, popular literature, critiques of European science and religion, works on music, and various proposals for reform. The introduction to Volume 2 gives an excellent overview of the history of the two eras coveredthe late Choson and the modern period beginning after 1860 and ending in 1945. Recommended for academic libraries and larger public libraries with a readership interest in Korean studies.Robert James Andrews, Duluth P.L., Minn.

Library Journal

Offers representative writings from the 17th century to the modern period, including contemporary histories, social documents, Buddhist scripture, philosophical treatises, and popular literature. The periods covered include the era of classical civilization, the solidification of the Confucian patriarchy, early encounters with the West, annexation by Japan, and the development of Enlightenment thought. Includes chapter introductions and a glossary. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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