Reviews
It is a classic that depicts the situation during the late Joseon Dynasty.
Domestic books are quite rare, so I'm glad I was able to buy this book.
I was able to understand the situation of Joseon during the Enlightenment period.
Our precious records from the past, which, though not that long ago, have become as distant as the distant past.
A book that takes you on a journey to a curious past.
It flows very smoothly. The content is also interesting.
Let's see, I'll read it carefully.
A book that depicted the tragic reality of the late Joseon Dynasty exactly as it was.
We see the state of the nation in the late Joseon Dynasty. Is this even a country? What about now?
We can examine the appearance of Korea during the late Joseon Dynasty from the perspective of a foreigner. Since it is a foreigner's view, it may be objective in some respects and extremely subjective in others, but it offers an opportunity to view the situation of the time from various angles. It is also difficult to imagine just how difficult it must have been for a foreign woman to travel during that era.
B. Bishop: Joseon and its neighboring countries
Considered one of the three major works of foreign records regarding the late Joseon Dynasty, alongside Hulbert’s *The Fall of the Korean Empire* and Griffiths’ *Korea, the Hermit Nation*, this book likely features the author with the largest readership regarding Korea in European society. Born in Yorkshire, England, as the daughter of a clergyman from a prestigious family, her married life was far from smooth. Although she did not attend formal school, she learned biology, geography, French literature, and the history of Latin civilization through private tutors; she had already made a name for herself in her youth and became a member of the Royal Geographical Society. However, while on a trip to Japan—known for its beauty—to forget her physical frailty and family misfortunes, she became curious about the turbulent situation in Korea and visited Joseon several times; this period coincided with the Donghak Revolution and the Sino-Japanese War. Although she had no knowledge of the strategies or battle situations of these two events, she demonstrates deep insight into the social conditions of the time. She is likely the only Westerner to have surveyed the site of Jeon Bong-jun's execution at Muakjae. Unable to suppress his lament over the corruption of Joseon officials, he observes the diligent and sincere lives of the Korean community in Siberia and concludes that Joseon's poverty and idleness are a result of resignation caused by bureaucratic corruption. His account of his meeting with Empress Myeongseong also serves as an important historical source.
Korean title: 조선과 그 이웃나라들
Korean author: B. 비숍
Korean publisher: 집문당
ISBN-13: 9788930318419
Reviews
It is a classic that depicts the situation during the late Joseon Dynasty.
Domestic books are quite rare, so I'm glad I was able to buy this book.
I was able to understand the situation of Joseon during the Enlightenment period.
Our precious records from the past, which, though not that long ago, have become as distant as the distant past.
A book that takes you on a journey to a curious past.
It flows very smoothly. The content is also interesting.
Let's see, I'll read it carefully.
A book that depicted the tragic reality of the late Joseon Dynasty exactly as it was.
We see the state of the nation in the late Joseon Dynasty. Is this even a country? What about now?
We can examine the appearance of Korea during the late Joseon Dynasty from the perspective of a foreigner. Since it is a foreigner's view, it may be objective in some respects and extremely subjective in others, but it offers an opportunity to view the situation of the time from various angles. It is also difficult to imagine just how difficult it must have been for a foreign woman to travel during that era.
