From the roles of “pirates” in modern Western history to the cultural exchanges of “Joseon Tongshinsa” in the Joseon era, 6 authors told us 6 interesting maritime historical events and different perspectives.

To mankind, the ocean has always been a subject of fear. But in the Age of Discovery, the ocean became a medium of exchanges and opportunities. On the ocean, there was a clash between civilizations and famous historical events occurred. The bookintroduces some of the “best events in maritime history,” which took place on the ocean in modern history.

Just as they all specialize in different fields, the six authors of this book introduce a variety of events from different perspectives. Professor Park Wonyong, who specializes in modern Western history, explains the roles of pirate in history, and how people’s lives were changed by cultural exchanges made on the ocean.

Professor Jo Sehyun, who studied east Asian anarchism, introduces the formation of modern China in connection tothe ocean, including how the Qing's most powerful fleet fell down in a single stroke and the story of Koxinga, China’s “Hero of the Sea.”

Professor Yi Geunwu, who studied ancient Korean history and is currently researching Daemado Island, introduces Joseon in relation to marine maps.

The authority in Joseon Tongshinsa studies, professor Park Hwajin explores the relationship between Korean and Japan through the medium of the ocean. Professor Park introduces the route Joseon Tongshinsa took and the scandals surrounding the Choryang Wegwan, or the Japanese district in Joseon era.

Professor Shin Myeongho, who studies the royal culture of the Joseon era, explores Buddhist religion through the perspective of marine culture and also looks into the maritime awareness of the Confuciusnation, Joseon, through the main routes, Yeongnam Route and marine gifts for the king.

Professor Kim Mungi, who studied environmental history, maritime history and climate, introduces maritime history with a focus on “herrings.” Herrings had a great influence on worldhistory, for instance, the Hanseatic League of Europe and the growth of the Netherlands, and they had an interesting role when Joseon opened its marine borders to China during the 19th century.

How about expanding one’s understanding and knowledge of the “ocean” throughThe Best Events in Maritime History? The authors hope that readers will be able to foresee the future of the ocean by reading its modern history. The future depends on how much we know the ocean and how we will take care of.

Kim Mungi is history professor at Pukyong National University and director of the Korean Maritime Archive Center. Kim studied the influence of the Little Ice Age on east Asia, and is currently studying the history of natural history and the history of marine fish.

Park Wonyong is history professor at Pukyong National University. He did his undergraduate at Seoul National University and later acquired his Ph.D from Indiana University with the thesis “Restructuring of Advanced Education in Russia after the Revolution.”

Park Hwajin is history professor at Pukyong National University's College of Humanities.

Shin Myeongho is history professor at Pukyong National University. He acquired a Master's and Ph.D degrees from the Academy of Korean Studies' College of Korean History.

Yi Geunwu is history professor at Pukyong National University. He studied Asian history at Seoul National University as an undergraduate and acquired a Ph.D in literature from the Academy of Korean Studies’ College of Korean History.

Jo Sehyun is history professor at Pukyong National University. He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Sogang University's College of History, and received a Ph.Dinmodern Chinese politic ideologies atthe Beijing University of Education.