The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies | 
| Author: Michael Breen
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  38 reviews
Sales Rank: 128154
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 0312326092
Dewey Decimal Number: 95.9
EAN: 9780312326098
ASIN: 0312326092
Publication Date: January 17, 2004
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Product Description
The rise of South Korea is one of the most unexpected and inspirational developments of the latter part of our century. A few decades ago, the Koreans were an impoverished, agricultural people. In one generation they came out of the fields and into Silicon Valley. In 1997, this powerhouse of a nation reeled and almost collapsed as a result of a weak financial system and heavily indebted conglomerates. The world is now watching to see whether the Koreans will be able to reform and continue their stunning growth.
Although Korea has only recently found itself a part of the global stage, it is a country with a rich and complex past. Early history shows that Koreans had a huge influence on ancient Japan, and their historic achievements include being the first culture to use metal movable type for printing books. However, much of their history is less positive; it is marred with political violence, poverty, and war-aspects that would sooner be forgotten by the Koreans, who are trying to focus on their promising future.
The fact that Korean history has eluded much of the world is unfortunate, but as Korea becomes more of a global player, understanding and appreciation for this unique nation has become indispensable.
In The Koreans, Michael Breen provides an in-depth portrait of the country and its people. an early overview of the nature and values of the Korean people provides the background for a more detailed examination of the complex history of the country, in particular its division into the Communist north and pro-Western south.
In this absorbing and enlightening account of the Koreans, Michael Breen provides compelling insight into the history and character of this fascinating nation.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 33 more reviews...
 Biased... April 2, 2008
The problem with the book is that the author constantly compares Korea to the West. In his view, Koreans are inferior and backward people because they are still strongly attached to family values and often people's actions in Korea are determined based on those values. I wish the author (and people in the West in general) would realize that happiness and advancement do not come from individualistic pursuit of material gain and exploitation of others. I gave the book 2 stars because it has some information which was new to me. I wish facts would be presented as they are and not constantly compared and evaluated in the light of things in the West.
 presumptuous March 26, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Have you ever met someone who makes all sorts of unsubstantiated, sweeping generalizations about groups of people at parties because he thinks it's entertaining? Reading this book is kind of like getting stuck with that person all night.
The second chapter is literally a laundry list of adjectives describing articulating Breen's perceptions of Koreans. However, Breen declines to provide research or evidence to support his views. Rather, he provides a few humorous anecdotes to entertain his audience, subsequently distracting the reader from unwarranted claims.
 Great Book, Horrible Name December 8, 2007
A long one, sure, but every page was full of genuine, page-turning material that begs to be read over again. Breen is British, but as an American, I was 100% to follow his train of though - he is a very conscious, diplomatic writer (he better be for a news writer +__+)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. anyone who is already familiar with the basics of Korean history and culture looking for a little bit more advanced, but not unapproachable book, you found it. My understanding of Korean culture (and particularly history) has increased tenfold. Okay enough, go get it.
Telling it like it is November 30, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
In a few brief words: Mr. Breen "gets it."
I bought three books about Korean culture before I came to live here. This was the last of the three, because, frankly, I was a little put off by the pompous title. But right from the start I could see that he knew his stuff. And now, it's easily my favorite of the three.
What makes this book different is its courage. Other books on Korea are too apologetic for some of the less savory aspects of Korean culture. For example, in the other books I read there was far too much "Yes, Koreans do X and X, but you have to understand that it's just differences in culture." Mr. Breen's observations, on the other hand, eschew all of these niceties and cut through to the whys and hows. It's not that he has a negative view of the culture, far from it. It's simply that he tells it like it is.
It's also a funny read (for example, the observation that when Koreans have no one to talk to they have a tendency to fall asleep).
If there's one criticism, it's that the book is a little to Seoul-centric. There are other places beyond the capital city that are not very well represented. There were times when I was reading when I said "that's not how it is in Busan."
Aside from that, it's a keen look into Korean culture. It doesn't necessarily paint a rosy picture, but "The Koreans" is honest and it's a fun read. You will definitely learn a lot about Korea reading this book.
Korea - Still a Hermit Kingdom October 28, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
After university, I moved to Seoul where I taught English, studied Korean, climbed mountains, and drank OB Lager for twenty months, attempting (in vain), to figure out the country in which I was living. I should have read this book, although unfortunately it wasn't available at the time. Breen isn't a Koreaphobe; not at all (on the contrary, he seems to like the place), but he can't help but be perplexed by its idiosyncrasies as well as the archaic mindset vs. what appears to be a modern, thriving society. Anyone who has lived in Korea will invariably find himself nodding in agreement at commentary regarding some of the recurring themes here: xenephobia, fever-pitch nationalism, narrow-mindedess, more xenephobia, and so on and so forth. The Koreans are not the fuzziest, warmest people on the planet. They can be (and usually are) downright obtuse not to mention exceedingly intolerant. Just about every Western person I knew who lived there (including females) were verbally abused AND physically assaulted by random people on the street at least once, usally several times. During the days leading up to the Asian Economic Crisis, I was taunted and accosted pretty much daily. This is a nation where police used to tail an elite class of rich young people because (wait for it) they weren't employed. Rather, they drove around all day hitting coffee shops, movie theaters, and bars. Imagine. For those wishing to understand why the Koreans are the way they are, or why they despise outsiders like they do (apart from the fact that they're juiced up on rice wine much of the time) Michael Breen's THE KOREANS is a solid reference. He takes us through their history and penetrates their psyche. He admits that he (and every expatriate he knows) still has trouble deciphering this unique nation. But read his book, and you'll have deciphered a great deal.
Troy Parfitt, author
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