Korea’s Twentieth-century Odyssey

From the late 19th century to yesterday's economic headlines, says Robinson (East Asian languages and cultures, Indiana U.), outsiders have been perplexed by Korea's responses to threats and opportunities. He argues that their bafflement is in direct proportion to their ignorance about Korean culture and society, and seeks to penetrate that veil by exploring the people's historical experience of foreign intrusion, occupation, war, and often violent social and economic upheaval over the past century. Annotation 穢2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)