The Book of Corrections

This book is not a page-turner by any means, but what it does have is hidden information through imagination. It is an eyewitness account in Korean, translated into English concerning the 16th-century Japanese Invasion. It is a step-by-step recounting of how one administrator had to flee the Japanese army as they burned their way through his native lands. The hidden joy is knowing that the samurai army is on his heels and you can feel them in the shadow of the book all the way through. It was a joy to read because it allowed me to see how the… show more.

This book is a very solid translation of the personal account of the man who was Korea’s prime minister during the Japanese invasion. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the state of Korean society at the time, particularly the factionalism and backbiting that characterized the political scene. One also gets in interesting takes on how the Koreans viewed both the Japanese invaders and their Chinese allies, who often bullied the Koreans they were ostensibly there to help. Finally, it provides a good sense of the style of Korean literati of the age, providing real insight on worldviews, values, and prejudices.