[A]uthor Gonzalez, with co-author Lee, offers a searching reflection on the tension between South Korea's embrace of globalization and its ancient culture... Gonzalez astutely charts this tension, and overall, his appraisal of South Korea is impressively comprehensive, encompassing many aspects of its complex culture... [He] combines his rigorous research with a depth of personal experience, lucidly presented in this admiring but critical account. An edifying analysis that's exacting but fair." Kirkus Reviews
In COREA DEL SUR: El precio de la eficiencia y el éxito, authors John Gonzalez and Young Lee combine their backgrounds and professional experiences to look behind the public face of South Korea. Through stories, anecdotes, and hard evidence, they capture Koreans being themselves without the glamour and glitz of K-pop, K-beauty, and K-drama. They examine the conditions, behavioral patterns, and cultural values that helped lift the country from the ashes after the Korean War to the international stage as the fourth-largest economy in Asia and 12th in the world. Their analysis includes the price Koreans have paid for the country's astonishing achievements and the existing social inequality.
Language
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
ISBN-13
978-1-7376513-0-7 (9781737651307)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
John Gonzalez was born in a small town of 12,000 people in the highlands of Mexico. At age 13, his family immigrated to the U.S., hoping he would forge a solid future for himself. Gonzalez always remembered why his parents decided to leave their home country and the sacrifices they made while uprooting the family. He learned English and French and earned several degrees, including a doctorate in educational leadership from UCLA. After receiving his doctorate, Gonzalez was appointed American Council on Education Fellow. He has worked in academic positions from middle to graduate school in the U.S. He lived in South Korea for five years, where he worked at an American School as a Spanish and English teacher and academic counselor. After completing his assignment, he was offered the position of school principal. While living in Korea, he immersed himself in the culture. He chose to write COREA DEL SUR: El precio de la eficiencia y el éxito to express his gratitude to the Korean people. Gonzalez enjoys traveling, spiritual retreats, and meeting people from all walks of life. In his spare time, he volunteers to teach yoga and meditation in the community.
