Everlasting Flower

Though North and South Korea seem worlds apart, with one a closed dictatorship and the other a open democracy, they grew out of a single past that is more tangled than most outsiders realize. Keith Pratt guides readers across Korea's ancient landscapes, beginning with the early kingdoms of Old Choson and Wiman Choson and moving forward to the division along the 38th Parallel that marks the peninsula today.

The narrative follows the wars and ruling dynasties that shaped the peninsula, as well as the pressures of Chinese and Japanese imperial power. Pratt gives close attention to contested episodes, including the abuses committed during the Japanese occupation. Alongside political events, the book examines religious practice, clothing, and food, showing how daily life and belief have developed over time.

Richly illustrated pictorial essays accompany the text. As the Korean peninsula grows more central to global affairs, the book serves as a broad introduction to Korean history and culture for readers who want the background.