New Books Examine Climate's Role in Korean History, Scholar's Life, and Modern Politics

A new book, "Korean History Through Climate," proposes a novel perspective on the nation's past, suggesting that climate fluctuations played a pivotal role in shaping its trajectory. The author, Park Jeong-jae, posits that empires flourished during warmer periods, while harsh cold spells, occurring cyclically in regions like the Liao River basin in China, led to cultural decline. This climatic influence, the book argues, directly impacted the establishment of Gojoseon as people migrated southward.

"The Many Sides of Dasan" delves into the multifaceted life of Jeong Yak-yong, a prominent scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. While widely known as a reform-minded official, the author, who runs a Dasan study group in Daejeon, sheds light on lesser-known aspects of his life. These include his roles as a secret royal inspector, an intellectual who bridged Confucianism and Buddhism, a physician who combated epidemics, and even an art critic with a passion for gardening and calligraphy.

"My Elegant Wooden Era" is an essay collection by Lee Jeong-hwan, a broadcast PD of 30 years who transitioned into a "city woodcutter." The book chronicles his second life, offering insights into woodworking, differentiating between hardwoods and softwoods, and discussing the "class" of timber. It extends beyond practical knowledge to explore the history of street trees and other humanistic aspects related to wood, serving as a reflection on his inner self through the lens of trees.

Critic Kang Joon-man's "When Fandom Looted Legitimacy" analyzes the structural reality of fandom politics in contemporary South Korea. He argues that the political fandom surrounding major parties functions as a form of "gaslighting," distorting public perception of reality. Kang believes that regaining democracy requires not political apathy but active engagement and vigilant oversight.

Lastly, "Gentle Hell" is an autoethnography by a Romanian anthropologist written in Japanese. Irina Grigore recounts a vast array of experiences, including the collapse of the Ceaușescu dictatorship, the transition to capitalism, the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, and her studies in Japan. The book, translated by Kim Young-hyun, presents these extraordinary events within an essay format.