Sentenced to a crime he didn't commit, American scientist Mitch Weatherby is relieved when mysterious commandos rescue him from a life in prison. Little does his know that his saviors work for a maniacal dictator with plans to build nuclear weapons that will irrevocably alter the world's balance of power. "Brewer has a singular gift as a storyteller," says Midwest Book Review, calling The Silla Project, "riveting entertainment from first page to last."

Volumes in the Early Korea Project Occasional Series focus on central issues related to the study of early Korean history and archaeology. This volume includes discussion of a variety of artworks, ranging from gold adornments found in Silla tombs to Koryŏ Buddhist paintings scattered in modern museum and private collections, that provide insight into the religious practices, aesthetics, cross-cultural exchanges, and everyday life of the people who made, used, appreciated, and circulated them. Based on thorough investigations of these artworks, their social context, and related texts, the five chapters in this book elucidate the cross-cultural interactions between the peoples and regions of Korea, China and South and Southeast Asia during the Silla to Koryŏ periods. The Early Korea Project Occasional Series is a publication of the Early Korea Project at the Korea Institute, Harvard University. -- from dust jacket.

"The Silla Kingdom, which flourished in Korea from 57 B.C. to 935 A.D., is known for its intricately crafted ornaments, many in resplendent gold, and for the creation of prominent Buddhist temples. Silla focuses on the striking artistic traditions of the Old and Unified Silla Kingdoms (4th-8th century), and is the first publication in English to explore the artistic and cultural legacy of this ancient realm. Among the topics explored are Korea's position as the eastern culmination of the Silk Road in the first millennium A.D. and the character and evolution of Buddhism, as illuminated by objects from major monuments, temples, and tombs. The book also presents new research about Silla's ancient capital, Gyeongju, which is known for the Gyerim-ro Dagger, as well as the pottery, glass, and beads discovered in tombs located there." -- Publisher's description.

Volumes in the Early Korea Project Occasional Series focus on centralissues related to the study of early Korea history and archaeology. Thepresent volume addresses several seminal questions associated with themiddle and late periods of the Silla kingdom (ca. 668-935): What was thecomposition of Silla's ruling elite? How did the state administer localareas? What was the relationship between the Buddhist church and thestate? How did the government evolve over the course of the middle andlate periods of Silla's rule? And what were the causes of Silla'sdemise?

Contemporary North and South Korea are nations of radical contrasts: one a bellicose totalitarian state with a failing economy; the other a peaceful democracy with a strong economy. Yet their people share a common history that extends back more than 3,000 years. In this comprehensive new history of Korea from the prehistoric era to the present day, Jinwung Kim recounts the rich and fascinating story of the political, social, cultural, economic, and diplomatic developments in Korea's long march to the present. He provides a detailed account of the origins of the Korean people and language and the founding of the first walled-town states, along with the advanced civilization that existed in the ancient land of "Unified Silla." Clarifying the often complex history of the Three Kingdoms Period, Kim chronicles the five-century long history of the Choson dynasty, which left a deep impression on Korean culture. From the beginning, China has loomed large in the history of Korea, from the earliest times when the tribes that would eventually make up the Korean nation roamed the vast plains of Manchuria and against whom Korea would soon define itself. Japan, too, has played an important role in Korean history, particularly in the 20th century; Kim tells this story as well, including the conflicts that led to the current divided state. The first detailed overview of Korean history in nearly a quarter century, this volume will enlighten a new generation of students eager to understand this contested region of Asia.

Compulsively readable, The Pencil Project is an emotionally engaging story that will draw you in and inspire you to change the world.