Modern Korea

In the nineteenth century, Russia participated in two "great games": one, pitted the tsar's empire against Britain in Central Asia. The other, saw Russia, China, and Japan vying for domination of the Korean Peninsula. In this eye-opening account, Sheila Miyoshi Jager argues that the contest over Korea, driven both by Korean domestic disputes and by great-power rivalry, set the course for the future of East Asia and the larger global order.

World War III has begun. And no one is safe. ⭐ “The closest thing to Tom Clancy I’ve read in years.” ⭐ “Chillingly realistic—and impossible to put down.” ⭐ “A nonstop, adrenaline-fueled ride from start to finish.” The first missiles fall without warning. Within hours, the world is at war. Across the Pacific, American and allied forces are shattered—airbases reduced to ash, fleets scattered, defenses overwhelmed. What was once unthinkable becomes reality as the balance of power collapses in a single, devastating blow. Now, the fight to survive begins. Deep beneath the...

Long overshadowed by Japan and China, South Korea is a small country that happens to be one of the great national success stories of the postwar period. From a failed state with no democratic tradition, ruined and partitioned by war, and sapped by a half-century of colonial rule, South Korea transformed itself in just 50 years into an economic powerhouse and a democracy that serves as a model for other countries. With no natural resources and a tradition of authoritarian rule, Korea managed to accomplish a second Asian miracle.

A charming ode to the lost art of connecting through the handwritten letter, from the owner of the beloved Seoul stationery shop geulwoll "That which takes longer to arrive stays longer in the heart." Juhee Mun once doubted whether handwritten letters had a place in our ultra-fast-paced world...

For centuries, Confucianism was the invisible architecture of Korean life. It molded kings and scholars, governed families, and left its mark on every ritual, law, and custom. Even today, its influence ripples through classrooms, corporate offices, and holiday traditions. To understand Korea—past and present—you must first understand Confucianism. This book takes you on a journey from the stately halls of the Joseon dynasty to the bustling streets of modern Seoul, revealing how an ancient philosophy still beats at the heart of a nation. It’s not a dry academic text—it’s a clear, ...

Experience the intense Cold War military history that divided a nation and forged our modern geopolitical landscape. Perfect for your daily commute, this gripping narrative transforms complex global strategies into an immersive story of survival. Witness the devastating clash of superpowers...

“On the day of my wedding, I didn’t walk down the aisle. I was pushed off a roof.” Han Seo-yoon was the perfect daughter, the perfect sister, and the perfect fiancé. She lived her life as a "Fragile Lily," shielding her younger stepsister from the harsh world and offering her heart—and her massive inheritance—to the man she loved, Kang Min-ho. But as she fell from the heights of the Grand Hyatt, her white bridal roses scattering like blood in the wind, she saw the truth. Her fiancé and her sister weren't mourning. They were smiling. They loved each other over her grave before ...

Experience a tense military history where a divided peninsula sparks the first Cold War frontline. Whether seeking an intense true story for your daily commute or deep educational listening, this immersive narrative brings a pivotal global conflict to life. Discover how superpower rivalry and...

The Korean Peninsula today is divided into two, but there was a time when this peninsula was divided into many states. Over the course of time, and besieged by expansive transient dynasties outside of this modest piece of land, many clans and tribes overran their lands. Of all those malicious and greedy potential overlords, none managed to prevail.

Christian Heroes: Syngman Rhee – The Greatest Christian Visionary of the 20th Century? brings to life the inspiring story of a man whose unwavering faith and bold leadership transformed a nation and left a lasting legacy for generations to come. As South Korea’s first president and a passionate Christian, Syngman Rhee guided his country through its most turbulent times, drawing strength from his deep-seated beliefs and relentless pursuit of freedom. This compelling biography explores Rhee's remarkable journey from his Confucian roots and dramatic conversion to Christianity while ...

Korea has a long, riveting history—it is also a divided nation. South Korea is a vibrant democracy, the tenth largest economy, and is home to a world-renowned culture. North Korea is ruled by the most authoritarian regime in the world, a poor country in a rich region, and is best known for the cult of personality surrounding the ruling Kim family. But both Koreas share a unique common history. Victor Cha and Ramon Pacheco Pardo draw on decades of research to explore the history of modern Korea, from the late nineteenth century, Japanese occupation, and Cold War division to the present day.

A moving and meditative account of the crushing demands of Korean careerism. - KIRKUS REVIEWS, Verdict "GET IT" Discover the Realities of Contemporary Korea "Hi, nice to meet you. This is my third blind date this week, so... let's get the usual stuff out of the way and decide where to go from there. Great, I'll start. First, what's your age? Your academic background? How much do you make? And your parents? How many siblings do you have? Any debt in the family? How much do you have in your savings account right now? Where do you live in the city? What kind of car do you drive? Purchased or ...

"In Rules of Engagement, David Bruns and J. R. Olson deliver a captivating and utterly authentic portrayal of modern day combat that compares with the best of the timeless classics by Tom Clancy, Dale Brown, and Stephen Coonts. This one must not be missed!" —Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times...

Uncover gripping Cold War history and the military strategy behind a forgotten conflict that shaped modern geopolitics. From sudden liberation in 1945 to a brutally divided peninsula, this intense narrative places you on the frontlines of a global superpower showdown. Perfect for your morning...

A land famous for green tea and the martial art of tae kwon do, South Korea lies on a peninsula in southern Asia. Many small islands fill the waters off its coast, including the volcanic Cheju Island. Learn all about South Korea’s landscapes, the everyday life of its people, and the country’s history with North Korea.

Narrator Jenna Ushkowitz is an award-winning actress, singer, producer, and podcast host best known for her role as Tina Cohen-Chang on Glee. Meet Anna K! Every happy teenage girl is the same, while every unhappy teenage girl is miserable in her own special way... At seventeen, Anna K is at the...

Following World War II America made a bold stand against the ambitions of an aspiring USSR. Taking the lead with the recently formed NATO and UN in resisting Communist incursions, the US found itself entrenched in the Korean War, fighting the North Koreans, Chinese and Russians simultaneously. Soon afterward America once again assumed the role of resisting Communist expansion, becoming involved in the quagmire of Vietnam. With a new century approaching and the ever changing worldwide political situation resulting in the relative collapse of Communism around the world, the US was to find ...

Trained as a military policeman and shipped off to South Korea, he believes that fate has spared him the horrors of a burgeoning war in Vietnam. But instead, he’s thrust into a different kind of war—one that would shake his core beliefs and cripple his ability to deal with the tragic and deadly consequences.

Bloomsbury presents Target Stopped: The History of the Modern Tank by Sam Cranny-Evans, read by Orlando Wells An engaging and insightful account of the evolution of the tank since 1945. Sam Cranny-Evans explains how the technology behind the armour, weapons, mobility, and mission systems...

Why do Japanese women have the most enviable skin in the world — and what exactly do they know that you don't? For twenty years, Jodie Sato worked as a beauty and wellness translator for Japan's most iconic skincare brands, translating not just words, but secrets. In Japanese Beauty Secrets, she shares twenty of the most powerful rituals she encountered: the ancient practices, science-backed ingredients, and philosophical shifts that give Japanese women their legendary skin at every age. This is not a book about expensive products or complicated routines. It is a book about doing the ...