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 they had a huge influence on ancient Japan, and their historic achievements include being the first culture to use metal moveable type for printing books. However, much of it is less positive. Korean history 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, the 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.

From the Publisher
"Michael Breen illuminates through countless anecdotes and personal observations the weird and wonderful ways of Asia's most paradoxical, polarized country. Few Koreans, let alone foreigners, have a better understanding than Breen of how a people can be alternately warm and ruthless, shrewd and childlike, tolerant and pigheaded. This is a thoughtful, passionate, and enlightening look at the world's eleventh largest economy and one of its oldest cultures; required reading for the neophyte and Korea hand alike." --Steve Glain, former Seoul correspondent, The Wall Street Journal

"Michael Breen gives readers an insight into the history and character of a complex people which helps us assess how they might deal with the current complex period in their development." --Catherine Lee, Seoul correspondent, The Economist

"For anyone who wants to know Korea and the Koreans better, this book is an excellent place to start. Michael Breen's achievement is to have gotten under Korea's skin. His portrait of Koreans is at once highly personal and convincingly recognizable. Both engaged and engaging, this book comes as close as an outsider can get to an insider's account of contemporary Korea [and its] undoubted importance as a key player in the global economy of the twenty-first century." --Aidan Foster-Carter, Korea expert, Leeds University

About the Author
Michael Breen is a writer and consultant who first went to Korea as a correspondent in 1982. He covered North and South Korea for several newspapers including The Guardian (London), The Times (London) and The Washington Times. He was the president of the Seoul Correspondents Club for three years during South Korea's period of democratization and has traveled widely in North Korea. He is married with three children and spends six moths of the year in Korea and six months in the UK.

Keywords: The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies, Books, Michael Breen, Korea (South), History, National characteristics, Kore, Korea - History, History - General History, Asia - Korea