[This Week's Books] 'Gansin: Gansinron' and 5 More Titles

◆Ganshin: Theory of Traitors = This is the first part of the 'Ganshin Trilogy.' It introduces the concept, categories, characteristics, history, harms, countermeasures, and historical records of ganshin (traitors). The author emphasizes that the core of the book is to accurately recognize how much harm these treacherous acts have caused to humanity and history. The content mainly focuses on records and deeds of ganshin in Chinese history. However, it is not just about China. The author points out that ganshin still run rampant in our society today, forming a new type of ganshin group based on academic background and specs, monopolizing wealth, power, vested interests, systems, and information to create an immoral pseudo 'elite cartel,' and solidifying vested interests through marriage ties (honmaek). (Written by Kim Young-su · Changhai)

◆2024 Content Is Everything = Despite the global recession, the content industry is still regarded as the core of business. Apple's moves to collaborate with Disney and many major domestic companies partnering with famous YouTubers are seen as evidence of this. Competition has become fierce, so which content will survive? The authors analyze the content market from a business perspective. They highlight the reality that content must capture the public's attention within 1.5 seconds, down from the previous 3 seconds, and capture trends in OTT (over-the-top) and social media content. Additionally, insights into 'K-pop,' 'TikTok,' and 'K-kids' are introduced through experts' perspectives. The book also includes special interviews with seven experts representing K-content, such as 'Casino,' 'Physical: 100,' and 'Psick Univ.' (Written by Noh Ga-young and three others · Miraeui Chang)

◆Rediscovering the Beauty of Our Heritage = The author, who has long been involved in public art planning, emphasizes that the world is moving beyond quantity and quality to an era of 'status' where people live appreciating beauty. Escaping 'mimeong' (aesthetic blindness) is presented as a condition for 'living well.' The book introduces 33 stories of artifacts and relics reflecting the spirit and lifestyle from prehistoric times to the late Joseon period. The author also argues that our nation has a cultural rhythm of leaping forward every 300 years. The ancient golden age was opened with the Samjok-o (three-legged crow), Chiljido (seven-branched sword), and Silla gold crowns; the 8th-century Unified Silla era produced the Seongdeok Daewang Bell, Bulguksa Temple, and Seokguram Grotto; the 11th-12th centuries saw the Tripitaka Koreana and celadon; the 15th century brought Hangeul; and the 18th century achieved true-view landscape painting. The author traces these historical backgrounds and contexts, predicting 'K-culture' as a stepping stone for the 21st century leap. (Written by Park Sam-cheol · Sam-in)

◆12 Forces Driving Roman History = The author, regarded as Japan's top authority on Roman history, explains the 2,206 years of Roman history from its founding in 753 BC to the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire in 1453 through 12 codes such as 'Republic,' 'Five Good Emperors,' 'Soldier Emperors,' and 'Monotheism.' The author explains how the republic that supported Rome was established, how trials and hardships became stepping stones for leaps, the background in which humanity's first 'public concept' was born in Rome, and how the era of the Five Good Emperors, praised as the happiest era of wise rulers in human history, was opened. The book then examines the emergence of soldier emperors who led Rome to ruin and the 210 identified causes of the Roman Empire's fall. The author emphasizes that this history continues to the present, acquiring 'presentness,' stating, "All history is contemporary history." (Written by Motomura Ryoji · Saramgwa Namu Sai)

◆The German Wehrmacht = This introduces the German Wehrmacht, considered one of the greatest armies in history. It covers the background and establishment of the Wehrmacht, its achievements and victories during World War II, characteristics, defeat, legacy, and new truths and lessons surrounding it. The book provides an overview of the war conducted by the German army during World War II, when they were significantly lacking in human and material resources compared to the Allied forces, objectively analyzing the factors behind their great victories and miserable defeats. It also details how Hitler politically took control of the German army and how famous German generals sold their souls to Hitler's regime. (Written by Tim Ripley · Planet Media)

◆When Sharks Shine = Featuring self-illuminating sharks, immortal jellyfish, and dolphins that name themselves. The world-renowned female marine biologist author shares stories of astonishing creatures discovered in the ocean. She introduces the survival methods marine creatures use to live in the vast and harsh ocean, averaging 4,000 meters deep and covering about two-thirds of the Earth's surface. The book describes how sharks emit fluorescent light at the microscopic level, jellyfish reproduce infinitely through degeneration, and dolphins communicate over distances exceeding 10 km using their own language. The author points out that humans have understood only 5% of the ocean and stresses that the still poorly understood ocean is being destroyed by microplastics discarded by humans, urging that this irreversible situation must be stopped now. (Written by Yulia Schnetzer · Pureunsoop)