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ABC-CLIO has a new series of books entitled Asia in Focus. Three volumes—China, Japan, and The Koreas—are now available. Other countries in Asia will also be brought out in this series, which is built upon and expanded from the ABC-CLIO Global Studies Handbook series. The authors of the three books already released are also the authors of the Global Studies Handbook series titles on those countries. The Koreas offers chapters on geography, history, government, economy, society, culture, and contemporary issues. The discussion of history, in particular, is extremely thorough. The book offers a shared history of North and South Korea until the division of the peninsula occurred, following World War II. Thereafter, separate histories are presented. Cultural sections are also thorough, covering language, etiquette, literature, art, music, food, and sports. The language portion of the title give a basic understanding for English speakers of the long history of the language of Korea and the unique importance language plays in the country. In particular, the section discussing han’gul, the Korean phonetic writing system, called by Jared Diamond “the world’s best alphabet,” is explained in some depth. Images, tables, and pronunciation guides allow for an explanation that can be understood by a novice learner. Other interesting sections include a piece on the recent Korean Wave, the phenomenon of Korean television programs, music, and other forms of popular culture sweeping around the globe. The series is highly recommended for college and university collections as well as public libraries. Images provided in the books will be better in the e-book versions. Good indexes, bibliographies, and lists of online sources, as well as chronologies, all add to the volumes’ usefulness. The Global Studies Handbook series has been a good collection of titles covering a number of countries around the world. This expanded and more thorough series will only enhance the use. --Steve Stratton

Review

"The Koreas introduces an often politically important area, with timely information written by chapter contributors who each have strong academic and expert research credentials. . . . This book would be appropriate for college libraries; large urban public libraries should consider it as well."

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ARBAonline

". . . a top pick for high school to college-level libraries strong in Asian studies."

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Midwest Book Review

"Scholars of history, literature, music, business, art, and language team up to introduce North Korea and South Korea to general readers, especially young readers, and provide a reference for people planning to travel to Asia or to help teachers incorporate the countries into their curriculum. They examine the geography from prehistory time to the present, contemporary government and politics, the economy, and contemporary issues such as the younger generation and the information age. Sections on society and culture also consider such dimensions as social classes and ethnicity, women and marriage, etiquette, literature, food, and leisure and sport."

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Reference & Research Book News

"The Koreas offers chapters on geography, history, government, economy, society, culture, and contemporary issues. The discussion of history, in particular, is extremely thorough. The book offers a shared history of North and South Korea until the division of the peninsula occurred, following World War II. Thereafter, separate histories are presented. . . . The series is highly recommended for college and university collections as well as public libraries. . . .Good indexes, bibliographies, and lists of online sources, as well as chronologies, all add to the volumes' usefulness. The Global Studies Handbook series has been a good collection of titles covering a number of countries around the world. This expanded and more thorough series will only enhance the use."

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Booklist

""Overall, both books nicely describe the main features of those countries and provide a valuable resource for travelers, businesspeople, and beginning students. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates, general readers, and professionals."

This title has been reviewed jointly with "Japan," by Lucien Ellington.

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Choice

"The Koreas was written with teachers in mind, but its in-depth and timely material offers business people, non-governmental organization (NGO) workers, military personnel, and anybody who intends to travel here an informative handbook for survival and success. The comprehensive, authoritative survey of Korean history will attract post-secondary Asian history scholars to consider this publication as a course textbook. . . . engaging and accessible . . . this resource may be our best hope for comprehending a region that is increasingly catching world attention. Academics, Koreaphiles, travelers, and anybody with a stake in this part of Asia will greatly appreciate Mary Connor's contribution. Her book offers a sound and thoroughly researched survey of Korea's fascinating history and vividly shares with us its enduring magnificence. . . . Exceptionally well researched, thoughtful, and highly practical, this work has to be a landmark accomplishment that showcases Connor's passion for educating Westerners about the beauty and intrigue of the Korean phenomenon. Most importanly, The Koreas will help educators better understand this great culture, and give the attention it merits.

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Education About Asia