[Book of the Week] 'Kamala Harris, Beyond Differences to Possibilities' and 5 More Titles

◆Kamala Harris, Beyond Differences to Possibilities = This is a biography of Kamala Harris, who is considered a leading candidate for the next U.S. president. She was the first Black woman elected as California Attorney General and served as a U.S. Senator, a position known for being highly exclusive to women and people of color. During the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, she gained attention for posing sharp questions to then-competitor Joe Biden. Although she later withdrew from the race, Biden selected her as his running mate, leading to her election as the first Black woman Vice President of the United States. The author, who has covered Harris since 1994, sheds light on her life and details how she transcended America’s long-standing political traditions to bring about change, illustrating how the history of “firsts” is being written. (Written by Dan Morain · Published by Gimmyoungsa)

◆Small but Great Korean History, Ginseng = ‘Baekje Ginseng’ was the finest medicinal herb in 6th-century China, and Seo Geung, a Song Dynasty envoy who visited Goryeo in the 12th century, introduced ‘Goryeo Ginseng’ to his country upon returning. Red ginseng became an official trade commodity of Joseon from the 18th century, and wild ginseng brought prosperity to East Asia through the Ginseng Road connecting Korea, China, and Japan during the reigns of Gwanghaegun to Gyeongjong. Furthermore, it served as a solid financial resource for reforms and changes, from Daewon-gun’s policies for national wealth and military strength, Emperor Gojong’s Gwangmu Reform, to the Third Republic’s Five-Year Economic Development Plan. The author introduces Korean history through deeply rooted ginseng, avoiding dry explanations focused on systems or policies. The book shares fascinating stories intertwined with ginseng, such as King Yeongjo, who lived to 83 by drinking ‘Geongongtang’ brewed from wild ginseng two or three times a day, and Choi Ik-mo, a marketing genius during the Japanese colonial period who sold white ginseng wrapped in golden ribbons in luxurious paper boxes. (Written by Lee Cheol-seong · Published by Pureun History)

◆The Art of Paying Off Debt = This is a practical guide for people suffering economic hardship due to debt, written by Balzac, who lived his life as a ‘writing laborer’ to repay his debts. It is the first book in the ‘Reading Classics Today’ series introduced in Korea. Balzac reached the status of a great writer in his late twenties but had to endure a period of being chased by creditors due to a business bankruptcy before that. He wrote while drinking coffee as if it were water to stay awake, some of which was published under pseudonyms. This book is one of those works. The depiction of 200-year-old France’s obsession with wealth and financial success, the resulting debt culture, and the conflicts between debtors and creditors reflect economic and social issues that are not different from the realities we face today. Balzac’s unique social satire, humorous and insightful criticism, and ironic descriptions make this an outstanding work. (Written by Honor? de Balzac · Published by Heybooks)

◆Korean-Style Value Investing = This is a practical guide to successful value investing in stocks. The two CEOs of VIP Asset Management, which manages assets exceeding 3 trillion won, distilled 27 years of experience into this book. It covers value investing, long-term optimism, skepticism, cyclical thinking, probabilistic thinking, and intersectional thinking. The book explains how to judge good companies and managers, determine fair value, and identify undervaluation. It also thoroughly examines stock discovery and analysis, portfolio construction and management, and psychological aspects. The two authors emphasize that if you want to rely on luck, buying a lottery ticket is better, and what value investors need is the ability to identify good companies and a steady belief in investing. (Written by Choi Joon-cheol and one other · Published by Econ)

◆A Chronology of Western Music History = This book neatly organizes the complex and lengthy history of classical music from ancient music through Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods. It connects familiar names and pieces such as Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Erik Satie, and Leonard Bernstein with the historical contexts of their times, helping readers gain a deeper understanding of music as the language of its era. Looking back at history, the circumstances of each period influenced music. All music has evolved slowly to the present through the influence of previous composers, reflections of the times, or personal changes of composers. To avoid being overwhelmed by the vastness of classical music, the book selects 100 key composers in Western music history and explores how the civic revolutions and Enlightenment changed music and how the era’s conditions were reflected in music through the composers’ language. (Written by Jo Hyun-young · Published by Hyunamsa)

◆The Language of Flowers Dictionary = The language of flowers, or flower meanings, was a cultural custom popular during the Victorian era, serving as a subtle way to express one’s emotions. For example, the red camellia expresses passionate love, and the daisy symbolizes purity of heart. The book unfolds the various stories behind 50 beloved flowers with beautiful illustrations. It also shares stories about flowers that inspired artists’ lives and works. These include the story of lily of the valley, which inspired Dior’s collections and classic perfumes; why Oscar Wilde, a dandy, liked to wear a green carnation on his lapel; and flowers loved by Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Additionally, it looks back at the cultural and historical status flowers held in the past, such as the tulip mania and orchid craze. (Written by Odessa Vigee · Published by Willbook)