An in-depth portrait of the history, culture, and economies of North and South Korea. "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." —Stephen Glain, correspondent for the Boston Globe and author of Mullahs, Merchants, and Militants A few decades ago, Koreans were an impoverished, agricultural people. In one generation, they emerged from the paddy fields to become world-leading producers of state-of-the-art technology. Yet on the eve of the millennium, South Korea reeled and almost collapsed because of a weak financial system and heavily indebted conglomerates. More recently, North Korea has been named to the Axis of Evil and flaunts its nuclear weapons program, while tensions mount along the DMZ. Although it is only relatively recently that Korea has been brought to our attention, it is an ancient and complex country with a people to match. As Korea becomes more of a flashpoint for international conflict, the need to understand and appreciate this unique society becomes more and more apparent. In this absorbing and enlightening account of the Koreans, Michael Breen provides compelling insight into the history and character of this fascinating nation. "[Breen] writes with a snappy, readable style. . . . Those wishing to learn about an increasingly important civilization will find this a thoroughly enjoyable read." —Booklist "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