Excellent History, Superbly Read

I am only on Chapter Six of Jager's history, listening at 1.7 as I take long walks in lovely cold Montreal, but I have already been whipped around China, Korea, Japan, Russia, and met incredible characters from those nations, as well as Germany, France, Britain and the USA. The dates and events are described at molecular level, which I love as I know almost nothing of Korean history. The descriptions of people, from feuding royalty, graceful diplomats, to bungling commanders, give each person a reality and clearly defined role. The incredibly complex politics of the region are explained well, where China, Russia, Japan, in particular as they share a border with Korea, all get involved in trying to dominate it, and one another. As well, China and Korea must act to protect themselves from the rapacious colonizers, Britain, Germany, and Russia. In the middle of all this is a bone-headed Royalty in Korea, in the 1880s, who fight amongst themselves, and can't get Confucian morons to back industrialization, so face better armed, more determined, and certainly more intelligent adversaries, and thereby are set to lose their country to the biggest thug of the nations around them.

I want to praise to high heavens the writing of Sheila Miyoshi Jager. Her erudition is great, and molecular well describes how deeply she uses this knowledge to make history so clear. I particularly like how she gives the issues, while describing the men and, one queen, who implement those decisions. There is NOTHING dry in this detailed history. It is rich, without being confusing, and colourful enough to allow understanding of the swirl of motivations of each participant.

I am listening to this history, but I alerted a Korean friend about this history and she was eager to read the book. I sent her the book yesterday and I am so happy to share this knowledge with someone from Korea! I can't wait to discuss various issues with her!

I am listening to this book at 1.7 and it is a tribute to the narrator, Kathleen Li, who reads so clearly. I am an English tutor of Chinese kids and I pride myself on knowing when someone is speaking North American English well. Li is simply excellent. Her diction, her pronunciation of names of all the nations involved, and her tone, are MAGISTERIAL!

This history of Korea is a gift to anyone who seeks to know exactly what went on there from the late 19th century.

Thank you Sheila Miyoshi Jager for such a well written, researched, and HUMAN history of a region most of us know little about. WE SURE WILL NOW. Wow... I am in awe....

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!