[This Week's Books] 'The History of Washing' and Others

The History of Washing

Based on experience working as a curator at the National Folk Museum, the author introduces diverse stories embedded in bathing culture. While the act of washing is universal, its meaning varies by era and region. In ancient Greece and Rome, which believed in the four humors theory, bathing was considered a medical practice. In medieval Europe, where it was believed that bad air entered the body through open pores, bathing was seen as an unclean act. In Islamic regions, where stagnant water is considered impure, bathhouses do not have pools. The book covers bathing stories from the Indus civilization to modern Korea. (Written by Lee In-hye | Hyunamsa)

Hello, Us

The book contemplates the essence of humanity by closely examining beings situated in the gray area between good and evil. The protagonists all have flaws. Through characters such as a man who dates multiple women simultaneously yet believes he loves them all sincerely, and a persecuted foreign laborer who also has flaws, the book explores the origins of human identity. Amid the instability of humans living between the extremes of good and evil, it ultimately conveys a message of ‘love for humanity.’ (Written by Shim Ah-jin | Sangsang)

The Rudolf Diesel Mystery

Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine that changed the global industrial landscape, disappeared on September 29, 1913, aboard the passenger ship Dresden bound for London. He vanished without a trace in the middle of the night, remaining a mystery for over 100 years. Diesel wanted his invention to improve workers’ lives, but the world on the eve of World War I was busy preparing for war. German Emperor Wilhelm II and oil magnate Rockefeller each paid attention to Diesel for their own reasons, and Diesel’s death sparked numerous conspiracy theories. The author investigates the secrets of that night. (Written by Douglas Brunt | Sejong Books)

Words of Lee O-ryeong

Although it has been three years since the passing of Lee O-ryeong, his words and writings continue to attract attention. This collection extracts the essence of Lee O-ryeong’s speech from hundreds of books he left behind. It was created with the hope that future readers can easily understand the intellectual explorations he pursued throughout his life through this single volume. The process took three full years to review many works and select the essence of his words. It introduces Lee O-ryeong’s worldview, who said, “The future is not something that comes, but something we create.” (Written by Lee O-ryeong | Segyesa)

Future Ready Mind

The author, Google’s first Chief Innovation Evangelist, emphasizes two things: first, ‘how you think,’ and second, ‘what kind of person you want to be.’ The author stresses the importance of having a mindset that keeps the future close with one’s own perspective in any situation, calling this the ‘Future Ready Mind.’ Among thousands of Googlers, the author identified six common traits in those who creatively pioneer the future: optimism, openness, curiosity, experimentation, empathy, and the X factor. These are abilities everyone possesses, and anyone with will and effort can turn obstacles into innovation. (Written by Frederick Firth | Influential)

DeepSeek DeepShock

Despite strong U.S. restrictions, China recently shocked the world by unveiling ‘DeepSeek,’ one of the world’s top AI models. In fact, China already holds the world’s number one position in AI patent applications. BYD, which set the world record for electric vehicle sales; TikTok, a global video social network service gaining attention; Huawei, the world leader in 5G technology; and DJI, the world’s top drone manufacturer?all are Chinese companies. The author, dispatched as a correspondent to China for a daily newspaper, provides an inside look at China’s AI development based on firsthand observations and experiences. (Written by Lee Beol-chan | Miraeui Chang)