Böcker av Daniel Nardini

Seoul has been the capital of Korea since 1392, and today is one of the world's largest metropolitan centers. Amid its modern skyscrapers and ultra-futuristic infrastructure are echos of its ancient past. For centuries, Seoul's three best known Buddhist temple complexes have been in so many ways a separate world from the rest of the city. Buddhist monks and nuns have lived in, slept and recited Buddhist mantras in some of the most beautiful temples ever built. Despite centuries and war on the Korean peninsula, these Buddhist temples have withstood the test of time and can be seen both by the Buddhist faithful as well as visitors. Mr. Nardini's book explores these three of Seoul's best known Buddhist temple complexes; Bongwonsa, Jogyesa and Bongeunsa. His book depicts these great centers of Buddhist learning in South Korea that seem aloof from one of the world's greatest cities and yet all three are very much a part of it.

Taiwan, also called the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan, has remained a place not too well known to westerners. With a population of 25 million, Taiwan is the seventh largest economy in Asia and the 20th largest economy in the world. Yet there is much more to Taiwan than just the size of its economy, or that the Taiwanese are among the most affluent in Asia. Taiwan is an island of climate contrasts, a country with a rich culture going back centuries, and with vibrant major cities like Taipei, Tainan and Taichung City (as described in the book). It is a country with a mountainous inter-land, many rural farming villages, and tropical rain forests. Taiwan's people include the Austronesians (the first people to set foot in Taiwan), immigrants from Fujian province (the province opposite of Taiwan), many Chinese immigrants from northern China (who brought Mandarin), and the Hakka. The most important religions are Buddhism, Taoism and native Chinese ancestor worship. For the world traveler, or for an expatriate living there, Taiwan is worth exploring and knowing.

For some Americans, when they think of the Republic of Korea (popularly called South Korea), they think of the Korean War fought so long ago. Many younger Americans, when they think of South Korea, think of K-pop, the big corporations Samsung, Hyundai, LG and Kia, and the cars these corporations have produced over the decades. But this is only one small aspect of a country with a rich history and culture few Americans know. Many Americans have not heard of, for example, the ancient City of Gyeongju with its surviving relics and monuments that were part of a once great kingdom. Then there is the Korean alphabet known as hangul, which was an invention to help facilitate all Koreans to be able to read and write in their language. My book is an exploration of some of these palaces, temples, churches and famous places in South Korea. More than that, my photographic memoir also looks at the things that make Korea what it is, and the dynamism behind the Korean people who have in their own way greatly contributed to our world.