Re: Muccio-Rhee

["Joseph S. Bermudez Jr." <jbermudez@qwest.net>]

Title: Re: Muccio-Rhee

John2,

> Bruce Cumings! 
> Author of the "Origin of the Korean War" 
> He is the authority on Korea. 
> Teaches History at Chicao U. 

I believe that many would disagree with you that he is “the authority on Korea.” Yes, he has written extensively on the subject and his research was impressive for the time period in which it was done. There are, however, a number of other respected historians (“authorities”) on the subject. Some of who preceded his research and writing, some who were contemporaries, and some more contemporary (who had access to material which he didn’t). 

The major criticism leveled against his writings on Korea are generally not related to his research, but rather that he allowed his political beliefs to both overly influence his research and interpretation. It appears that he went into the research phase with a preconceived idea rather than allow the facts to lead him wherever they might. Then, when it came to interpretation of his research, his political beliefs took him further away from many judge as an objective assessment.

Since it has been published I have occasionally referred back to The Origins of the Korean War, however, my research and experience have led me to agree with the above assessment of the book. In general, I have refrained from citing The Origins of the Korean War in my research since there are now available more objective works, of comparable or better research, with significantly less political slant, concerning the subject areas in which I am interested.

Best regards,
Joe B.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.