Reviews
A disorganized book. It would likely be slightly better if details like "how much was bought and sold" were removed. When dealing with the contents of antique books, is the monetary value really information the reader needs to know? There doesn't seem to be a clear overarching value system running through this book. However, it is interesting that an expert shares insights into the lives of people from the past found in these ancient texts.
Words such as books that shed light on the historical context behind ancient documents, historical tours, authentic masterpieces, and museums come to mind. It was a time when I enjoyed reading and also learned about culture and the arts.
I also heard about the pride in our culture—such as bookbinding—and it was very interesting.
Jang Su-chan: Treasure Hunter
*Treasure Detective* is a general interest book that covers fascinating episodes surrounding ancient texts and books. Written by a professional antique book collector, the author introduces a collection of ancient documents and books personally gathered by the author, along with twenty intriguing stories related to them. The book explores the world of antique book collecting and auctions, tracking techniques for identifying the value of artifacts, and recounts treasure-like stories found within ancient texts. Based on extensive insight into classical Chinese and history, as well as the know-how of appraising ancient documents, the author excitingly traces the traces of history that we had previously overlooked. Through a diverse collection encompassing everything from small scraps of paper to fans, calligraphy, paintings, books, and maps, readers encounter the stories of various figures: Joseon noblemen who leisurely enjoyed poetry and art amidst turbulent international affairs; an uncle who sold his own nephew into servitude; a fan imbued with the shamelessness of a pro-Japanese collaborator; the Joseon diplomatic envoys who engaged in fierce wars of nerves with the Japanese; and the tale of a student who achieved success by dedicating himself to studying English during the late Joseon period. The investigative process of discovering and tracing clues one by one regarding the dates, authors, and contents of ancient documents offers dramatic entertainment, while also conveying a wealth of general knowledge about the lifestyle, culture, and art of the Joseon Dynasty.
Korean title: 보물탐뎡
Korean author: 장수찬
Korean publisher: 김영사
ISBN-13: 9788934996279
Reviews
A disorganized book. It would likely be slightly better if details like "how much was bought and sold" were removed. When dealing with the contents of antique books, is the monetary value really information the reader needs to know? There doesn't seem to be a clear overarching value system running through this book. However, it is interesting that an expert shares insights into the lives of people from the past found in these ancient texts.
Words such as books that shed light on the historical context behind ancient documents, historical tours, authentic masterpieces, and museums come to mind. It was a time when I enjoyed reading and also learned about culture and the arts.
I also heard about the pride in our culture—such as bookbinding—and it was very interesting.
