Korea and Her Neighbors

In this book, Isabella L. Bird, who had been elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society only 2 years prior, describes her travels through Korea from 1894 - 1897 in her well-known style. She went on lengthy trips through the interior of what is today both North- and South Korea and vividly describes the landscapes, people and customs of the "Hermit Kingdom".

Isabella's sojourn coincided with a time of great turmoil in Korea. Shortly after her arrival, the Japanese occupied the country, ostensibly to protect their expatriate community. But when relations worsend further, Isabella was forced to flee, first to Manchuria, and, after the outbreak of the first Sino-Japanese War (1894 - 1895), to Russia. She returned to Korea only days after the assassination of Queen Min in October 1895, and saw King Gojong reduced to a mere "salaried automaton" until he fled to the Russian Legation in 1896. Isabella, having had several audiences with the monarchs throughout her stay in Seoul, gives a first hand account of the political and governmental changes throughout this time.

Altogether, this is a fascinating account of Korea at a time when the country was not only torn between tradition and modernisation, but also found herself a pawn of Japan, China, and Russia, all vying for control in the Far East. (Summary by Availle)
(18 hr 25 min)

Chapters

Preface and Author's Prefatory Note	15:45	Read by Availle
Introductory Chapter	30:07	Read by Availle
I. First Impressions of Korea	27:45	Read by Availle
II. First Impressions of the Capital	31:58	Read by Availle
III. The Kur-dong	25:04	Read by Availle
IV. Seoul, the Korean Mecca	16:48	Read by Availle
V. The Sailing of the Sampan	13:12	Read by Availle
VI. On the River of Golden Sand	26:15	Read by Availle
VII. Views Afloat	41:18	Read by Availle
VIII. Natural Beauty - The Rapids	40:05	Read by Availle
IX. Korean Marriage Customs	15:09	Read by Availle
X. The Korean Pony - Korean Roads and Inns	29:05	Read by Availle
XI. Diamond Mountain Monasteries	44:35	Read by Availle
XII. Along the Coast - Part 1	35:39	Read by Availle
XII. Along the Coast - Part 2	32:27	Read by Availle
XIII. Impending War - Excitement at Chemulpo	19:17	Read by Availle
XIV. Deported to Manchuria	17:37	Read by Availle
XV. A Manchurian Deluge - A Passenger Cart - An Accident	15:50	Read by Availle
XVI. Mukden and its Missions	17:35	Read by Availle
XVII. Chinese Troops on the March	15:04	Read by Availle
XVIII. Nagasaki - Wladivostok	24:38	Read by Availle
XIX. Korean Settlers in Siberia	38:02	Read by Availle
XX. The Trans-Siberian Railroad	14:51	Read by Availle
XXI. The King's Oath - An Audience	39:35	Read by Availle
XXII. A Transition Stage	18:17	Read by Availle
XXIII. The Assassination of the Queen	33:37	Read by Availle
XXIV. Burial Customs	22:00	Read by Availle
XXV. Song-do: A Royal City	20:51	Read by Availle
XXVI. The Phyong-yang Battlefield	47:45	Read by Availle
XXVII. Northward Ho!	25:23	Read by Availle
XXVIII. Over the An-kil Yung Pass	19:07	Read by Availle
XXIX. Social Position of Women	13:47	Read by Availle
XXX. Exorcists and Dancing Women	35:35	Read by Availle
XXXI. The Hair-cropping Edict	29:49	Read by Availle
XXXII. The Reorganised Korean Government	38:28	Read by Availle
XXXIII. Education and Foreign Trade	28:38	Read by Availle
XXXIV. Daemonism or Shamanism	24:14	Read by Availle
XXXV. Notes on Daemonism Concluded	43:43	Read by Availle
XXXVI. Seoul in 1897	40:39	Read by Availle
XXXVII. Last Words on Korea	35:46	Read by Availle

Reviews

Korea at a critical moment

(3 stars)

Dennis Murray

This rather long book recounts the events surrounding a pivotal moment in the modern history of Korea. As such it is more an analysis of political machinations of the time than a travel story and less engaging than the other extraordinary books by this wholly remarkable traveller. However the reading by Availle is, as always, superb.

Another FANTASTIC reading from Availle

(5 stars)

Echolallies

Isabella Bird was an amazing woman, and this is another of her incredible travelogues. Availle is one of my favourite readers on the site and it's a joy to hear this book. I have listened to it three times and there is still more to find out each time. Highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyed.