[This Week's Books] 'Dirty Work' and 5 More Titles

◆Dirty Work = An investigative journalist specializing in expos?s has compiled stories about unethical and unsanitary essential labor in modern society into a book. It covers hidden labor sites behind society’s scenes, such as prisons, psychiatric wards, large-scale slaughterhouses, and drone combat bases, as well as offshore drilling rigs and cutting-edge tech companies in Silicon Valley. Through the form of reportage, it relentlessly uncovers the portraits of stigmatized workers called ‘Dirty Workers’ and the shadows of power that conceal them. Starting from the words of workers like prison guards and drone pilots, it provides detailed descriptions of labor environments, interviews with related experts, thorough data investigation, and literature research, expanding individual contexts into social meanings for readers. (Written by Earl Press · Published by Hankyoreh Publishing)

◆The History Made by Artisans and Daknamu: The History of Joseon Science and Technology = Traditional Korean hanji paper is used in the restoration of cultural heritage at world-renowned museums such as the British Museum, the Vatican Museums, and the Louvre. Made from long and complex dak fibers, it is thicker and stronger than other papers. However, the general public lacks knowledge about traditional hanji made from daknamu (paper mulberry), which has durability exceeding 1,000 years. In this book, an author specializing in the history of science reconstructs the history of dak paper. Beyond introducing the papermaking process, the book traces political, economic, and social changes surrounding hanji through various historical materials such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, Uigwe (royal protocols), and Deungnok (official records). It also critically examines the ‘science’ of Silhak scholars, including the Northern Learning School, illuminating the long-standing relationship between labor and science and technology in a multidimensional way. (Written by Lee Jeong · Published by Pureun History)

◆Dark Tour, the Name of My Journey = This is a record of 12 years of travel visiting global genocide sites. Starting in Poland in 2005, the author traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Chile, Argentina, Jeju Island in South Korea, and Armenia, visiting genocide sites and related museums where up to 1.5 million people were victims. As a form of ‘Dark Tourism,’ the author describes this journey as “a trip confronting forgotten names and faces.” The book reflects on the persistent shadows of genocide patterns repeating throughout human history and emphasizes that the problem of ‘them’ can also be ‘my’ problem. (Written by Yang Jae-hwa · Published by Some Books)

◆Money Starts with You = Written by two experts in investment and management consulting, this novel introduces the essence of wealth, emphasizing that money ultimately begins with oneself. The story begins when In-woo, a diligent but low-paid car wash employee, and Bae Sang, a silver spoon who succeeded in coin investment with pocket money, coincidentally win a ‘Coffee with a Trillionaire’ event. When the trillionaire In-seon asks, “So, what do you want to know?” the two ask different questions and learn 27 systems of money, including secrets to becoming rich and reasons why some cannot. The authors advise that in the era following investment, the most honest and certain way to earn money in the age of startups and self-development is to devote one’s time and effort. (Written by Kim Jong-bong and Jegal Hyun-yeol · Published by Dasan Books)

◆Tony Robbins’ Giant Thinking Method = This book condenses the teachings that the famous author has advocated for over 40 years, including “Awaken the Giant Within” and “Change Your Life Now.” It organizes practical methods, skills, and questions from his representative works that anyone can apply. Targeted at people who want to change their habits but fail repeatedly, those who want to escape lethargy and depression but don’t know how, and those who want to grasp wealth and success, it offers content to read and reflect on one page a day. Starting from “Who am I?” it introduces how to clearly set what you want to become, change emotional states, shift focus, and ask the right questions. (Written by Tony Robbins · Published by RH Korea)

◆When the Dragon in the Earth Cries = This book by the late Lee O-ryeong, who in 1962 through his serial “In the Soil, In the Wind” posed questions to Korean society about who ‘Koreans’ are and what ‘Koreanness’ means, is the sixth volume in his ‘Korean Story’ series written in his later years. Focusing on ‘land’ and ‘soil,’ it highlights the value of life in Korean culture. The author candidly shares the creative desires and concerns he had during the original serialization and honestly confesses the need for corrections to some of the content he wrote at that time. (Written by Lee O-ryeong · Published by Param Book)