The Korean Alphabet: Its History and Structure

Rating:
Summary: Exactly what is needed
Review: This book is a collection of interesting papers on the history and construction of hangul. Most of these are really interesting to read, as they go into depth on current and past debates about the origins of hangul, and the history of its usage up to the present day... There is everything from explanations of the consideration of classical chinese linguistics and taoism in the structure of hangul, to the differences in spelling conventions between the north and south, and how they have come about... Very interesting book for anyone who thinks hangul is an amazing writing system, and simply wants to know more about it.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book on Hangul
Review: This book is a collection of interesting papers on the history and construction of hangul. Most of these are really interesting to read, as they go into depth on current and past debates about the origins of hangul, and the history of its usage up to the present day... There is everything from explanations of the consideration of classical chinese linguistics and taoism in the structure of hangul, to the differences in spelling conventions between the north and south, and how they have come about... Very interesting book for anyone who thinks hangul is an amazing writing system, and simply wants to know more about it.

Rating:
Summary: Hardly Korean...try gibberish
Review: This book was a gigantic disappointment. I expected it to provide me with insight into the beauty of the Korean Language. I was entranced by a comment describing wonderful articles and distinct chronologies. Overall, however, I found myself angered and annoyed with what was a rude awakening to one's woman's desire to embarass a rich culture with trite. I think Ms. Kim-Reneau needs to spend less time boring the reader, and more time researching her material.

Rating:
Summary: Exactly what is needed
Review: This is a fantastic work, covering exactly the subjects of interest to a person wanting to know details about one of the great cultural achievements in Asian history. In the case of the Canaanite alphabet that lies behind nearly all the alphabets we are familiar with, little is known about the thinking that went into the invention nearly four thousand years ago. Not so in the Korean case. Same remarkable achievement, but with considerable historical record covering the event. There are nevertheless myths attached to it, and this book among other things helps one to sort out carefully fact from fiction. A superb achievement in its own right!