15 - Korea and Her Neighbors by Isabella L. Bird

Journey with Isabella L. Bird, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, as she delves into the heart of Korea from 1894 to 1897. Renowned for her engaging style, Bird takes readers on a vivid adventure through both North and South Korea, offering a rich tapestry of the landscapes, people, and customs of the then Hermit Kingdom. Bird’s exploration coincided with a period of tremendous upheaval in Korea, a time when Japan occupied the nation and relationships deteriorated, prompting her to flee to Manchuria and later Russia. She returned to a drastically changed Korea, where she witnessed first-hand the assassination of Queen Min and King Gojongs fall from power. Her unique encounters with the royalty and experiences in Seoul provide an unparalleled insight into the political and societal shifts of the era. This book is a riveting chronicle of a Korea caught in the crossfire of tradition and modernity, and a pawn in the geopolitical chess game involving Japan, China, and Russia.