Keith Pratt seems to love and know Korea, and his history is thankfully free of Western condescension. A major theme is the uniqueness of the Korean experience. There is a strong emphasis on the arts and I spent a lot of time trying to find color images on the internet of works he discusses in the text. Pratt is careful to point out events in Europe that mirror the more archaic aspects of the Korean past. He also seems to give a balanced presentation of both the contemporary South and North Korean states.

The history is not without its quirks: the 17th century appears to pass in a single paragraph after much detail before and after, and at times the chronology is hard to follow. However, the book serves as an excellent introduction to the politics, culture, and society of the Korean peninsula. ( )

Easy and interesting prose brings a modern, comprehensive look at Korean history. ( )