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Most of the travelogues and reviews of Korea by authors who speak little or no Korean are little more than long enumerations of the writer's anecdotal impressions and factual knowledge about the country. First published in 1898, however, Korea And Her Neighbours is in a class by itself. "The distaste I felt for the country at first passed into an interest which is almost affection, and on no previous journey have I made dearer and kinder friends, or those from whom I parted more regretfully," writes Mrs. Bishop. Even the occasional condescending eurocentrism that seeps into her 19th century style is endearing, for the profound affection the famous world traveler felt for the Korean people shines through on every page, and her observations of Korean life at the critical time in which she toured the country are today studied by Korean social historians. Don't miss the many sketches, photographs, and maps from the period. The copyright died out long ago and the book is available from several sources, but ours is printed in Korea. Copyright © 2002-2008 Seoul Selection
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