- Overview
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From prehistoric times to the near future, this book rewrites the history of mankind from the perspective of the sea.
- Book Intro
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(English) A MARITIME HISTORY
Reinterpreting the entire human journey from prehistoric times to the near future from the perspective of the sea, this book reveals aspects of human history that cannot be covered from the point of view of continental civilization alone. It infinitely expands our landlocked gaze through the understanding of “maritime mankind” who spread out over the sea, lived by the sea, and fought on the sea.
History so far has focused too much on continental and agricultural civilizations. Was the ocean, which covers 71% of the Earth’s surface, merely a deep and quiet darkness, a barrier to human life? In fact, humans have actively used the sea from the very beginning of its spread throughout the world. In the process of migration of Homo sapiens from its origins in Africa to the numerous islands of continents and oceans around the world, sea routes played a key role just as much as land routes did. Sailing ability was a very important factor for humans to become the dominant species on Earth.
Furthermore, from the expansion of the ancient civilization of the Mediterranean coast, exchanges between Muslim merchants and the Tang and Song empires, economic and cultural mediation between Southeast Asian and Indian states, the maritime power development in Mongolia and Ming’s expeditions to the South China Sea, and the connection and growth of the world economy through steamships and canals, to imperialist invasions through powerful battleships, it is impossible to describe the decisive scenes of world history without mentioning the sea. This book, which vividly and meticulously describes the amazing role of the sea, restores the position of the sea that has long been missing from history books.
Equipped with a maritime perspective, readers will understand the formation and development of civilization anew. This book presents a new interpretation of history, covering the long sweep from the dawn of civilization to the age of great voyages and modern sea travel. In particular, the sea vividly testifies to the multitude of connections, that is, economic and cultural exchanges and trade, so you can comprehensively understand the huge network of trade that runs through the entire history of mankind.
This book contains the latest research results from the global academic discipline of history, and also reflects trends in various adjacent disciplines such as military science, economics, and marine science to deal with the modern and contemporary history of the sea. In addition, 200 plates and maps are included to help bring to life the changing maritime world.
- About the Author
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Jou KyungChul
(English) Jou Kyung-Chul is Professor of Western History at Seoul National University. He obtained his Bachelor degree from the School of Economics and his Master’s degree from the Department of Western History, both at Seoul National University, and received his Ph.D. in History from the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paris (EHESS). He has conducted intensive research on the process of global integration through the sea and maritime civilization from modern times to the present day. Through his books, he communicates with readers in a matter-of-fact yet readable style. He has written The Age of the Great Voyages, Civilization and the Sea, The Formation of Modern Europe, A History of the Civilization of Adventure and Exchange, Witch, Historia, Jou Kyung-Chul’s Story of the Europeans, and has translated such books into Korean as Civilisation materielle et capitalisme, 1400-1800, volumes 1-3, Utopia, and The Mediterranean Sea, among others.
