[AEC]∎ Libro Gratis The Annals of King T'aejo Founder of Korea Chosŏn Dynasty Byonghyon Choi 9780674281301 Books

The Annals of King T'aejo Founder of Korea Chosŏn Dynasty Byonghyon Choi 9780674281301 Books

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The Annals of King T'aejo Founder of Korea Chosŏn Dynasty Byonghyon Choi 9780674281301 Books

Today I received the hardcover version of Mr. Choi's "The Annals of King T'aejo." I have not yet had time to go through much of the book, but the "Translator's Introduction" was informative, and, comparing the first few pages of the translation to the original Chinese, the translation seems good. The reason I am writing this premature review is to let people know that the binding of the hardcover version seems weak, which might be an issue for some people. I have a feeling this 1,000-plus page book will be falling apart by the time I finish it, but I can deal with that. If it is an issue for people, I would recommend they get the electronic version of the book. I, however, prefer something more tangible even if it does fall apart.

I think this translation is a great accomplishment, considering how much Chinese had to be translated into English, including first-time English translations of many "official titles and agency names," which the author admits was his most difficult challenge. Some of the English translations for the official titles and agency names seem a little awkward, such as, the "Victorious Martial Metropolitan Command" and the "Dragon Martial Patrolling Guard Command," but, at least, these translations give us a starting point to begin refining the English translation of Korean history. The way I see it, Mr. Choi has started the ball rolling, in a big way, by giving many English-speaking historians the opportunity to read and debate this important piece of Korean history.

I am giving this book four stars only because I am concerned about the strength of its binding; otherwise, I would give it five stars. I think this book will help people not only to better understand Korean history, but will also help those who are interested in translating old Korean texts.


Tags : The Annals of King T'aejo: Founder of Korea's Chosŏn Dynasty [Byonghyon Choi] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Never before translated into English, this official history of the reign of King T'aejo--founder of Korea's long,Byonghyon Choi,The Annals of King T'aejo: Founder of Korea’s Chosŏn Dynasty,Harvard University Press,0674281306,Korea,Korea - History - Choson dynasty, 1392-1910,Korea;History;Chosæon dynasty, 1392-1910.,T'aejo,1335-1408,Asia,Asia - Korea,Asian,Asian history,Chosæon dynasty, 1392-1910,History,History - General History,History Asia Korea,History Of Religion,HistoryWorld,History: World,King of Korea,,Non-Fiction,POLITICAL SCIENCE World Asian,Political ScienceWorld - Asian,RELIGION History,ReligionHistory,ScholarlyGraduate,South Korea,T'aejo,,UNIVERSITY PRESS,United States,World - Asian

The Annals of King T'aejo Founder of Korea Chosŏn Dynasty Byonghyon Choi 9780674281301 Books Reviews

This enormous book is a translation from Chinese (not Korean) of an immense chronicle of medieval Korea at the end of the 14th cenury. For history buffs who want to try something new, this is just the ticket. It gives a fascinating detailed account of Korean court and military life written by historians who were threatened with death if their accounts veered from the truth. It tells of court intrigue and battles against Japanese pirates who performed human sacrifice with little girls. It tells of the corruption of Buddhist monks. It is never dull, but there is a lot of it, and it is not a book for your lap. Kudos to the patient translator.
I like it
Since I have become so interested in Korean History I have been looking for a timeline as far back as I could find something on the history of Korea. It is a long but very informative book.
As a fan of Korean historical drama, I found this translation of the Annals fascinating and helpful. I have already spent many hours perusing through the pages. And will be spending many more. The records are written in diary-form with notes on almost every day of the 7-year reign. Some days have short entries, say, on the weather, other days have long descriptions on serious happenings such as the execution of high officials for treason. But even the weather notes are interesting due to how bad weather was interpreted - as a warning from Heaven to the King.

In the introduction, the reader is introduced to the charismatic leader in a passage resembling a scene from a drama, Taejo is described like an action hero - sitting high on a hill on a white horse, holding a red arrow with white feathers, gazing down at his men. Later, charming snippets of information about the king’s day to day life reveal that he plays kyokku, a ball game on horseback, he likes to go hunting, and has a falcon farm erected on the Han River.

Major issues that concerned the new dynasty are recorded throughout such as the huge undertaking of moving the capital city to Hanyang (Seoul). I enjoyed reading details such as the note that officials were against moving the capital as they didn’t want to relocate their homes and families. So they tried to dissuade the king from going to look at Hanyang by suggesting that ‘there are bandits on the way!’ (but the king, a former army general, was undeterred!)

Other entries include requests made to the king from various government departments, notes on the king’s schedule such as trips to hot springs, lengthy obituaries of high ranking officials, poems written for the king that reinforce his worthiness to hold the Mandate of Heaven, and reports on rewards and punishments for officials and sometimes commoners.

With its mix of detailed descriptions of major events along with notes on everyday life at court, the Annals of Taejo are an unusual and enlightening read. It’s not the kind of book you read from cover to cover like a novel and then put away. There are parts that I will refer back to again and again.
Today I received the hardcover version of Mr. Choi's "The Annals of King T'aejo." I have not yet had time to go through much of the book, but the "Translator's Introduction" was informative, and, comparing the first few pages of the translation to the original Chinese, the translation seems good. The reason I am writing this premature review is to let people know that the binding of the hardcover version seems weak, which might be an issue for some people. I have a feeling this 1,000-plus page book will be falling apart by the time I finish it, but I can deal with that. If it is an issue for people, I would recommend they get the electronic version of the book. I, however, prefer something more tangible even if it does fall apart.

I think this translation is a great accomplishment, considering how much Chinese had to be translated into English, including first-time English translations of many "official titles and agency names," which the author admits was his most difficult challenge. Some of the English translations for the official titles and agency names seem a little awkward, such as, the "Victorious Martial Metropolitan Command" and the "Dragon Martial Patrolling Guard Command," but, at least, these translations give us a starting point to begin refining the English translation of Korean history. The way I see it, Mr. Choi has started the ball rolling, in a big way, by giving many English-speaking historians the opportunity to read and debate this important piece of Korean history.

I am giving this book four stars only because I am concerned about the strength of its binding; otherwise, I would give it five stars. I think this book will help people not only to better understand Korean history, but will also help those who are interested in translating old Korean texts.