This well-edited collection of essays makes an important contribution to our understanding of the history of the two Koreas in the past seventy years. Each essay examines some aspect of Korea’s global engagement and the degree to which Koreans were passive or active agents in shaping their own development. The essays are accessibly written and broad enough in their implications to be of interest to non-specialists while providing new findings and insights that will require specialists to rethink some of their assumptions about recent Korean history.

Michael J. Seth, James Madison University

This book indeed explores “new frontiers” with a collection of excellent chapters written by some of the rising young scholars in Korean Studies. The book examines an intriguing set of topics that break new ground and utilize new archival materials while addressing issues that do not receive the attention they deserve. These chapters should be required reading for the fascinating stories they tell of how both Koreas faced difficult challenges in dealing with a changing global environment and worked to determine their own fate.

Terence Roherig, Naval War College

An exciting and path-breaking look at Korea’s interaction with the modern world. Brazinsky has assembled some the best young scholars of Korea, and has produced a wide-ranging work that offers fresh insights and fresh perspectives. This is a “must-read” for anyone interested in understanding the complicated history of modern Korea.

Mitch Lerner, The Ohio State University

The essays in this volume are of high quality and on important topics. The book as a whole will be required reading for specialists and students in the field of Korean Studies. Highly recommended!

Yafeng Xia, Long Island University