Reference Book Errors and Comments (original) (raw)
Reference Book Errors and Comments
Title: The New Encyclopedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.
ISBN Number: 0-85229-591-X
Book Year: 1994
| Word Count (40) | Accuracy (40) | Visuals (15) | Bibliography (5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65,000 | Portrayal: 10 | Total: 54 | Works Cited: 55 |
| Care of facts: 9 | Maps: 9 | ||
| Up-to-date: 10 | Pict./Illust.: 37 | ||
| Romanization: 10 | Chart/Graph: 8 | ||
| POINTS: 40 | 39 | 10.5 | 3.7 |
Factual Errors or Inconsistencies
| Page | Errors | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| 865 (v6) | Kimchi - stored in earthenware jars to ferment for approximately one month | This is an explanation for traditional kimjang kimch'i, not common kimch'i. |
| 809 (v12) | Paekdusan is 2700 meters high. | It is 2744 meters high. |
| 166 (v17) | Unified Silla period is from 668 to 635. | Unified Silla period is from 668 to 935. |
| 701 (v17) | Korean artists were generally inferior to the Chinese and Japanese in technical perfection and precision. | This point can be argued. |
| 702 (v17) | The only existing paintings of the Three Kingdoms period are from Koguryo and Paekche tombs. | Chönmado from the Chönmach'ong Tomb in Kyöngju is in many ways more important, yet omitted. |
| 703 (v17) | � The seated Maitreya in the former Toksu (Töksu) Palace Museum (now an annex of the National Museum of Korea, Seoul) � Two stone pagodas in Pulguksa; one is located behind the entrance gate and the other in front of the main hall | � The former National Museum of Korea is a building in Kyöngbok Palace. The present National Museum is an annex of Kyöngbok Palace. Töksu Palace is located in a different area and the National Museum was/is not there. � Both are located in front of the main hall (one on the right and the other on the left) and behind the entrance gate (one on the right from the entrance gate, and the other on the left) |
| 860 (v21) | Korea ruled by Japan since 1895. | Korea ruled by Japan since 1910. |
| 494 (v22) | South Korea uses Taehan ("Great Han") as its official name. | or the Great Han Republic |
| 496 (v22) | � The Yi dynasty, with 26 monarchs, ruled until the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910. | � There were 27 monarchs during the Yi dynasty, although the last was a Japanese puppet, 1907-1910. |
| 508 (v22) | Text mentions Buddhism as primarily for women, Confucianism as primarily for men, Christianity is relatively new. | Shamanism gets scant mention, and Ch'angga-Hakhoe gets far too much coverage. |
| 509 (v22) | � In rural areas, agricultural products are still hauled by oxcart and by human labor. � About half of high school graduates go to college. � Shamanism, Buddhism, and Confucianism constitute the most important background of modern Korean culture. | � Oxen have mostly been replaced by modern farm machinery. � About 30% of high school graduates go to college � Christianity also influences Korean culture. |
| 731 (v22) | Korean alphabet " " sounds o as l_aw_ | Text should read "low" |
| 1074 (v29) | Korean alphabet, invented in 1447 | Korean alphabet was invented in 1446. |
| 958 (v6) | The population of North Korea is listed at 22,937,000 in the 1991 and 1992 editions. In 1993 and 1994, the population is listed at 22,227,000. | The population of North Korea did not decrease by 700,000 in one year. |
| 961 (v6) 748 (v22) | � 62 million people speak the Korean language. � Korean is spoken by more than 55,000,000 people. | Problem with consistency. Also, Korean is spoken by approximately 70 million people, when Koreans living abroad are included in the count. |
| 822 (v9) | Population of Pyongyang (P'yöngyang) is given from 1980 statistics. | Information it too outdated for such a recent edition. |
Maps
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 958 (v6) | Small map of North Korea in relation to South Korea, Japan, China, Mongolia, and the USSR |
| 959 (v6) | Small map of South Korea in relation to North Korea, Japan, China, Mongolia, and the USSR |
| 51 (v16) | General ethnic composition of China (shows where Koreans are living) |
| 495 (v22) | Korea during the Three Kingdoms period (c. AD 400) |
| 502 (v22) | North and South Korea, with major cities, rivers, and provinces highlighted -- Index included |
| 504 (v22) | Population density of North Korea |
| 508 (v22) | Population density of South Korea |
| 224 (v27) | Central Seoul and its metropolitan area. |
| 302 (v22) | Japanese expansion in the late 19th and 20th centuries. |
Pictures or Illustrations
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 7 (v3) | Korean celadon vase with inlaid decoration (mishima), 13th century, Koryo (Koryö) dynasty |
| 959 (v6) | Statue of Kim Il Sung at the Museum of the Revolution in P'yongyang (P'yöngyang), North Korea |
| 960 (v6) | Flooded paddy field in the region south of Seoul, South Korea |
| 961 (v6) | � Gilt bronze bodhisattva, Paekche Kingdom � Celadon vase in the form of a muskmelon, Koryo (Koryö) period, early 12th century |
| 822 (v9) | The skyline of P'yongyang (P'yöngyang), North Korea |
| 133 (v13) | Korean bottle with a celadon glaze and mishima, Koryo (Koryö) dynasty, 13th century |
| 503 (v17) | Painting by Sin Yun-bok (1758- ?) of Korean women wearing traditional clothing |
| 701 (v17) | Bronze belt hook, Early Iron age |
| 704 (v17) | � Stela at the tomb of Kong Muryol, 661, Silla period � Bronze bell of King Sondok, Unified Silla period |
| 705 (v17) | Sarira casket of the Kamunsa, Unified Silla period |
| 706 (v17) | Wooden mask of a court servant, late Koryo period |
| 707 (v17) | "Dogs," vertical scroll by Yi Am (1499- ?), early Yi dynasty. Ink and colour on silk |
| 708 (v17) | Punch'ong ware wine bottle in "rice-bale" shape, 15th century, Yi dynasty |
| Plate 9 | Korean art of the Later Three Kingdoms period (300-668) � Silla gold crown from Kyongju (Kyöngju), 4th-6th centuries � Silla clay vessel in the shape of a mounted horseman, 5th-6th century � Silla gilt bronze Maitreya, 6th-7th century � Hunting scene from "Tomb of the Dancing Figures," Koguryo (Koguryö) wall painting on plaster, 5th-6th century |
| Plate 10 | Korean art of the Unified Silla period (668-935) � Pulguk-sa (temple) in Kyongju (Kyöngju), North Kyongsang (Kyöngsang) Province, South Korea � Pagoda of the Pulguk-sa (temple) in the North Kyongsang (Kyöngsang) Province, South Korea � Glazed cinerary urn. � Seated granite Sakyamuni of the Sokkuram (Sökkuram) Cave Temple, Kyöngju, South Korea |
| Plate 11 | Korean art of the Koryo (Koryö) period (935-1392) � Celadon water dropper in the form of a duck, 12th century � Lacquer box inlaid with mother-of-pearl, 12th century � Bronze incense burner with silver inlay,1177 � Inlaid celadon vase, c. 13th century � Kyongch'onsa (Kyöngch'önsa) pagoda, Seoul, 14th century |
| Plate 12 | Korean art of the Yi period (1392-1910) � Throne hall of Kyongbok (Kyöngbok) Palace, Seoul, 1897 � Blue and white ware jar, 17th-18th century � "Landscape," vertical scroll ink painting by Chong Son (1676-1759) � "Immortals," album-leaf by Kim Hong-do (b. 1745?). Ink on paper. |
| 709 (v17) | "A Group of Horses," detail of a four-fold painted screen by Kim Ki-ch'ang (1913- ). Colour on paper |
| 745 (v17) | Music illustration |
| 503 (v22) | Crater lake at the summit of Mount Paektu, northern Yanggang province, North Korea |
| 510 (v22) | Royal tombs of the Silla and Unified Silla kingdoms (1st century BC - 10th century AD) at Kyongju (Kyöngju), South Korea |
| 225 (v27) | Downtown Seoul seen from the Toksu (Töksu) palace |
Charts or Graphs
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 464 (v3) | Chronological list of New Independent Nations Since 1943 -- North and South Korea represented for 1948 |
| 160 (v8) | Mining -- North Korean production of Cement (1992) and Coal (1989) |
| 543 (v8) | Principal National Parks of the world -- Nine parks in South Korea and one in North Korea cited |
| 148 (v12) | United Nations membership (North and South Korea since 1991) |
| 894 (v17) | Table 2: Real Gross Domestic Product per Employed Person -- Korea represented |
| 731 (v22) | Table 51: The Korean Alphabet (Han'gul) |
| 818 (v28) | Table 2: Railway Systems of Selected Countries -- South Korea represented |
| Plate 6 (v4) | National Flags -- North and South Korea represented |
Comments
Britannica is clearly the standard. The total number of words, accuracy, and authorship by named authorities make them the leader of the field. Strict use of the standard romanization was unique among the encyclopedias. There were some errors, or cases of lack of care with facts, but they were minor given the volume written about Korea. One other title had more bibliographic references and one other had more visuals, which resulted in less than a perfect score (93 out of 100 points). It is really an exceptional encyclopedia.
Reference Book Errors and Comments
Title: Asia and the Pacific
Publisher: Facts on File
ISBN Number: 0-8160-1826-x (Vol I); 0-8160-1827-8 (Vol 2); 0-8160-1622-4
Book Year: 1991
| Word Count (40) | Accuracy (40) | Visuals (15) | Bibliography (5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38,300 | Portrayal: 10 | Total: 35 | Works Cited: 61 |
| Care of facts: 10 | Maps: 2 | ||
| Up-to-date: 9 | Pict./Illust.: 0 | ||
| Romanization: 8 | Chart/Graph: 33 | ||
| POINTS: 23.6 | 37 | 6.8 | 5 |
Factual Errors or Inconsistencies
| Page | Errors | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| 146 | Romanization of juch'e | Either_juche_ or cluch'e |
| 162 | Spelling of Sonyou | Should be Sönyön |
| 163 | Romanization of Geoje | Köje |
| 594 | Romanization of sadaechuuei | sadaejuöi |
Maps
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 142 | Map of North Korea |
| 154 | Map of South Korea |
Pictures or Illustrations
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 768 | North Korea's national emblem |
| 784 | South Korea's national emblem |
Charts or Graphs
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 390 | Area and Population: South and North Korea included |
| 391 | GNP Per Capita: South Korea included |
| 392 | Economically Active Population Proportion in Agriculture, 1987; North and South Korea |
| 393 | Urbanization: South Korea included |
| 394 | Land Use, 1986: South and North Korea represented |
| 395 | Agriculture: Production Indexes-Per Person: North and South Korea represented |
| 396 | Food: Production Indexes-Per Person: North and South Korea represented |
| 397 | Indexes of Manufacturing Production: South Korea represented |
| 397 | Distribution of Manufacturing Value Added, 1985: South Korea represented |
| 398 | Indexes of Mining Production: South Korea included |
| 399 | Exchange Rates and Currencies: South and North Korea represented |
| 400 | Exports (Millions of U.S. Dollars) |
| 401 | Exports (Millions of U.S. Dollars) |
| 402 | Ratio of Exports and Import to GDP (Percent), 1986 |
| 403 | Central Government Expenditure by Function, 1985 (As % of Total Expenditure) |
| 404 | Distribution of Gross Domestic Product (Percent), 1986 |
| 405 | Distribution of Gross Domestic Product (Percent), 1986 |
| 406 | Prices: General Indexes (1980=100) |
| 407 | Debt-Service Ratios |
| 408 | Energy Production, 1985 |
| 409 | Crude Petroleum: Imports and Exports, 1985 |
| 410 | Telephones, Television Receivers and Radio Receivers |
| 411 | Motor Vehicles in Use (Thousands) |
| 412 | Railways |
| 413 | Health Services |
| 414 | Food Supply: Calories Per Person Per Day |
| 415 | Literacy Rate, 1985 |
| 416 | Education: Number of Institutions by Type |
| 417 | Education: Number of Students by Level (Thousands) |
| 418 | Education: Pupil/Teacher Ratios |
| 1338 | The Flying Geese Hypothesis |
| 1339 | Stages of Industrial Growth in Asia-Pacific Countires |
| 1342 | Changes in Income Distribution |
Comments
From pages 389 to 418, numerous charts and tables are very good, but many are disappointingly out-of-date for a 1991 publication: some 1980, none newer than 1987.
Reference Book Errors and Comments
Title: The Encyclopedia Americana, International Edition
Publisher: Grollier Incorporated
ISBN Number: 0 - 7172 - 0125 - 2
Book Year: 1994
| Word Count (40) | Accuracy (40) | Visuals (15) | Bibliography (5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32,500 | Portrayal: 10 | Total: 33 | Works Cited: 25 |
| Care of facts: 9 | Maps: 2 | ||
| Up-to-date: 10 | Pict./Illust.: 25 | ||
| Romanization: 9 | Chart/Graph: 6 | ||
| POINTS: 20 | 38 | 6.7 | 1.7 |
Factual Errors or Inconsistencies
| Page | Errors | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| 621 (v1) | Korean alphabet is connected to Indian | Korean alphabet is not connected to Indian |
| 455 (v2) | Hangang (Han'gang) is the largest river | Han'gang is the second largest in South Korea after Naktonggang |
| 607 (v4) | Pondoksa | Pongdoksa |
| 360 (v6) | Hallasan is 2773 meters high | Hallasan is 1950 meters high |
| 393 (v9) | � Tsurumagi � Old clothes: colored for maidens and white for matrons | � Turumagi � Color of clothes doesn't have to do with maidens and matrons |
| 89 (v10) 612 (v16) | Unified Silla 668 - 892 AD | 668 - 935 AD |
| 292 (v14) | Chusok (Ch'usök) falls in the middle of August at the end of the harvest | Ch'usök falls in late September of early October at the end of the harvest |
| 543 (v16) | Population of Seoul: 8 million | Over 11 million |
| 546 (v16) | � Korean, 40-letter alphabet � 20% of Korean population is Christian | � Korean, 24-letter alphabet � 30% is Christian |
| 547 (v16) | � Korea's usual beverage is rice tea � Brass bowls are typical � Traditional attire is worn daily mainly by country women | � Korea's usual beverage is barley tea or corn tea � Brass bowls used to be typical, now stainless steel or ceramic is commonly used. � People rarely wear traditional attire (only for special occasions) |
| 550 (v16) | � About 100 A.D., the kingdom of Koguryo emerged | � 100 A.D. is technically correct, but Koreans recognize 37 B.C. as the traditional date that Koguryö emerged. |
| 562 (v16) | Republic of Korea was established in 1948. Three years later DPRK was established. | DPRK was established in the same year (1948); ROK--August, DPRK -- Sept. |
| 458 (v21) | By Feb, 20, 1963, Korea had normalized its diplomatic relations with Japan | Korea had normalized its diplomatic relations with Japan by 1965. |
| 360 (v6) 543 (v16) 546 (v16) 612 401 (v26) | � Population of Cheju in 1970. � Population of Korea in 1980. � Population of major cities in 1980. � Population of Kyongju (Kyöngju) in 1975. � Use of data from 1969-1979. | All of the statistics and data are too old to be used in such a recent edition. Updated information would be more appropriate. |
Maps
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 544 (v16) | Map of North and South Korea with major cities and rivers cited |
| 562 (v16) | Battle lines at various stages of the Korean War |
Pictures or Illustrations
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 393 (v9) | Painting of Korean men in horsehair hats and traditional coats, c. 1800 |
| 362 (v11) | North and South Korea's flags (Flags of Asia) |
| 543 (v16) | Picture of downtown Seoul and Nam-San tower |
| 545 (v16) | � Dragon Head Rock on Cheju Island � Peaks, ravines, and foliage of Sörak mountain |
| 546 (v16) | � Crowds in P'yöngyang, capital of North Korea, hail the Communist ideal of chuch � Picture of a Korean family, showing the importance of the father--son relationship |
| 547 (v16) | Korean men gather at a traditional ceremony to honor the dead |
| 548 (v16) | Women performing the traditional Circle Dance |
| 549 (v16) | The colossal Buddha at Pöpchu Temple |
| 550 (v16) | Masterpieces of Korean Art: � Fifth century crown of gold and jade with pendants � 12th century celadon vase inlaid with crane decorations |
| 552 (v16) | 13th century woodblocks used to print the Buddhist canon (Tripitaka Koreana) in a temple near Taegu |
| 558 (v16) | � South Korean agricultural machinery � Color television sets for export and domestic markets |
| 559 (v16) | South Korea's Ulsan oil refinery, completed in 1964 |
| 560 (v16) | Hyundai cars await loading onto a freighter for shipment to foreign markets |
| 561 (v16) | U.S. Marines fighting for control of Seoul in late September, 1950 |
| 562 (v16) | General Douglas MacArthur, planner of the Inchon (Inch'ön) landing |
| 563 (v16) | GI's on Heartbreak Ridge in late 1951 |
| 564 (v16) | U.S. Marines near the Yalu River prepare to fight Chinese troops |
| 565 (v16) | Chinese POWs surrendering |
| 612 (v16) | The pagoda at Kyongju's (Kyöngju) Punhwangsa temple, built in 634 A.D. |
| 25 (v23) | Pusan, the country's second largest city and most important seaport |
| 562 (v24) | The Kyöngbok Palace complex in Seoul, at the foot of Mt. Pugak |
Charts or Graphs
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 460 (v11) | National flowers -- Korean Rose of Sharon represented |
| 291 (v14) | Selected list of National holidays -- North and South Korea represented |
| 831 (v21) | Consumption of refined petroleum products, 1980 -- South Korea represented |
| 401 (v26) | Countries that have more than 1 million telephones -- South Korea represented |
| 218 | Insignia of Rank, Armed Forces of South Korea |
| 604 | National Decorations, Medals, and Orders -- Korea represented |
Comments
The text gives a very accurate and well detailed account of the Korean War. South Korean President Kim Young Sam is not mentioned until the 1994 edition, despite being elected in 1992, and inaugurated in 1993. Former president Roh Tae Woo is mentioned several times in the 1994 edition.
This encyclopedia ranked second in points, with a gap between number one, but clearly ahead of three, four, and five. One of the factors in the high rating was the collection of authors by name at the end of each article. It had half the words of the number one title, but scored near-maximum on our accuracy scale. It attempted to follow the standard romanization but fell short in some articles where the author did not maintain consistency.
Reference Book Errors and Comments
Title: Collier's Encyclopedia
Publisher: P. F. Collier, Inc.
ISBN Number:
Book Year: 1993
| Word Count (40) | Accuracy (40) | Visuals (15) | Bibliography (5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39,000 | Portrayal: 8 | Total: 21 | Works Cited: none |
| Care of facts: 8 | Maps: 5 | ||
| Up-to-date: 6 | Pict./Illust.: 12 | ||
| Romanization: 7 | Chart/Graph: 4 | ||
| POINTS: 24 | 29 | 4.1 | 0 |
Factual Errors or Inconsistencies
| Page | Errors | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| 144 | Reforestation; Korea's hills are beginning to become green again. | For many years, the hills in Korea have been green due to reforestation. |
| 145 | Population of South Korea of 1989: 44 million. | 42 million in 1989. |
| 145 | Currency unit of South Korea: 1 Won=100 Hwan | Hwan is not used any more. |
| 145 | Chii-san | Chiri-san |
| 145 | Much of the mountain and hill areas are covered only with scrub oak and small pines, and branches are broken off these for firewood while the hill slopes are raked clean for brush. | Very much outdated information |
| 147 | Population of North and South Korea: 66 million. | 64 million |
| 147 | Population density of South Korea: 302 per sq km. | 427 per sq km |
| 149 | South Korea is divided into 9 provinces and 2 cities, Seoul and Pusan. | 6 independently-administered cities: Seoul, Pusan, Inch'ön, Taegu, Taejon, Kwangju. (these cities are not subordinate to provinces) |
| 149 | South Korea has observer status at the UN. | A member nation since 1991. |
| 150 | North Korea has observer status at the UN. | A member nation since 1991. |
| 150 | North and South Korea remain economically complementary to each other. | In theory, they are complementary , but they do not trade with one another. |
| 154 | KAL is owned by the state. | KAL is a private company. |
| 154 | Steady increase in international indebtedness, which in 1983 stood at about $40 billion -- | Outdated information |
| 159 | Women's position in Korea is described as very inferior and insecure: � women's jobs are usually low-paid waitress, maids, clerks, industrial laborer | In modern Korea, it is not this bad. |
| 159 | In South Korea secondary school stresses vocational or technical training. | This sounds more like North Korea. In the South, there are college prep schools and vo-tech also. |
| 160 | Chomsungdae is located near Kyongju (Kyöngju). | It is located in Kyöngju. |
| 160 | Chosan Ilbo | Chosun Ilbo |
| 160 | Popular school sports: baseball, gymnastics as is Japanese judo. | Taekwöndois more popular than Japanese judo. Soccer is probably the most popular. |
| 160 | Customs and holidays: western plumbing is rare, mulberry paper, wooden frames, outside toilet, and a few apartments. | Very outdated information. |
| 161 | Does not count Apr. 8 as a national holiday. | April 8, on the lunar calendar is an unofficial national holiday. |
| 161 | Women's divorce is a social opprobrium. | In modern Korea, is it not this bad. |
| 167 | Five-year plan goes only till 1981. | Currently in its seventh five-year plan (91-96), Korea continues to implement these economic plans. |
| 168 | Chun Doo Wan | Chun Doo Hwan |
| 168 | Inflation rate from 1986 to 1989: average of 3%. | Over 10% for the three year period. |
Maps
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 145 | Small, blank map of Asia with North and South Korea highlighted |
| 146 | Detailed map of North and South Korea with major cities and railroads highlighted |
| 152 | South Korea - Economy: major agriculture, fishing, mining, industry, cargo port, and power locations highlighted |
| 156 | North Korea - Economy: major agriculture, fishing, mining, industry, cargo port, and power locations highlighted |
| 169 | Major Military Actions of the Korean War -- Troop movements and dates cited |
Pictures or Illustrations
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 144 | Buildings and people on Pyongyang's (P'yöngyang's) main avenue in North Korea |
| 145 | People at the Tongdaemun (East Gate) Market in Seoul, South Korea |
| 147 | Ryugyung (Ryugyöng) Hotel in Pyongyang (P'yöngyang) - 105 stories high |
| 151 | Workers assembling telecommunications equipment at a Goldstar factory in Anyang, South Korea |
| 153 | Hyundai shipyard factory in Ulsan, South Korea |
| 155 | Modern city of Pusan, South Korea |
| 157 | Plant workers examine plans at the Taen Heavy Machine Complex in Pyongyang (P'yöngyang) |
| 158 | Traditional and modern styles of dress are worn by patrons of a restaurant in Suwon, South Korea |
| 160 | Computer education at a middle school in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang (P'yöngyang) |
| 164 | Bulguk-Sa (Pulguksa) Buddhist Temple at Kyongju (Kyöngju), South Korea, built in A.D. 540 |
| 167 | The wooden pagoda adjoining Popju-sa (Pöpchusa) temple at Mt. Songni, South Korea |
| 171 | Soldiers constructing a bunker on "Heartbreak Ridge," central Korea, October 1952. |
Charts or Graphs
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 144 | General information on North Korea |
| 145 | General information on South Korea |
| 154 | Output of Major Commodities -- North and South Korean output of seven general commodities in 1961 and 1976 |
| 172 | U.S. Casualties, Korean War |
Comments
Collier's suffered most in the accuracy scale. Most of the material was out of date, which led to a negative portrayal in several areas.
Reference Book Errors and Comments
Title: Academic American Encyclopedia (Grolier)
Publisher: Grolier Incorporate
ISBN Number: 0-7172
Book Year: 1993
| Word Count (40) | Accuracy (40) | Visuals (15) | Bibliography (5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15,500 | Portrayal: 9 | Total: 37 | Works Cited: 74 |
| Care of facts: 9 | Maps: 11 | ||
| Up-to-date: 9 | Pict./Illust.: 22 | ||
| Romanization: 8 | Chart/Graph: 4 | ||
| POINTS: 9.5 | 35 | 7.2 | 5 |
Factual Errors or Inconsistencies
| Page | Errors | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| 98 (v5) | Korean war started on June 26, 1950 | June 25, 1950; June 26 is date claimed by the U.S. |
| 5 (v12) | Kaesong (Kaesöng), called Songdor | Kaesöng was called Songdo. |
| 113 (v12) | More than 75% of all children attend secondary school. | Most of elementary school graduates go to the secondary school. |
| 7 (v19) | Taejon [ty-juhn] | Taejon [taejuhn] |
| 27 (v10) 5 (v12) | � Population of Hamhumg from 1981 statistics. � Population of Kaesung (Kaesöng) from 1981 statistics. | Information is too outdated for such a recent edition. |
Maps
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 233 (v2) | Map of Asia -- Korea represented |
| 244 (v2) | Asian languages |
| 254 (v2) | Political boundaries of Eastern and Southern Asia in 750 A.D. |
| 255 (v2) | Asia in 1294 A.D. |
| 363 (v4) | China and Asia -- Korea represented |
| 361 (v11) | Japan -- Korean peninsula included |
| 112 (v12) | North and South Korea in relation to Asia, beginning of the "Korea" section |
| 113 (v12) | Map of North and South Korea with major cities highlighted |
| 120 (v12) | Korean War -- battle sites and troop movements during the following periods: � June - November 1950 � November 1950 - July 1953 |
| 355 (v12) | World Languages (Korea is classified under "Japanese and Korean") |
Pictures or Illustrations
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 207 (v1) | Air force uniform throughout wars -- Korean War represented |
| 182 (v2) | The United States Army uniform throughout wars -- Korean War represented |
| 112 (v12) | � North Korean flag � South Korean flag |
| 113 (v12) | Downtown Seoul, the capital and largest city of Korea |
| 115 (v12) | � View of Korean terrain, mountains and rice fields � A Confucian ceremony enacted at the Chong Myo Royal Shrine in Seoul |
| 117 (v12) | � Painted lacquer basket from Lo-lang, evidence of Chinese influence on Korean culture � Pottery vessel of a warrior on a horse from the Shilla Dynasty (Three Kingdoms period) |
| 118 (v12) | � 12th century porcelain water bowl with a peony design from the Koryo Period � Polychrome wall paintings in a Koguryo dynasty tomb � Ink monochrome landscape painted by Chong Son (1676-1759) |
| 119 (v12) | United Nations troops and tanks moving through the streets of Seoul in 1950 |
| 193 (v16) | Rhee, Syngman, the first President of South Korea in 1948 |
| 282 (v14) | Diagram of the pressurized water reactor at the Ko-Ri power station, near Pusan |
| 283 (v14) | A water flow chart of the Ko-Ri power plant |
| 323 (v17) | Sino-Japanese War |
| 45 6(v19) | United Nations troops were sent to South Korea in 1950 |
| 177 (v13) | Students performing at a tae kwon do (Taekwöndo) exhibition |
| 469 (v15) | Japanese Kakiemon porcelain jar shows the influence of Chinese and Korean pottery techniques |
| 114 (v12) | � Pyongyang (P'yöngyang), capital of North Korea � Workers assemble a Hyundai automobile at a factory in Ulsan, South Korea |
Charts or Graphs
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 113 (v12) | Annual climate chart for the cities of Wönsan and Pusan |
| 119 (v12) | Table of Selected Korean Universities |
| 112 (v12) | � General Facts on North Korea � General Facts on South Korea |
Comments
1992 and 1993 books are almost identical.
* The following encyclopedias were found to be exactly like the Academic American text:
Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia (1988). Lexicon Publications, Inc. New York, N.Y.
Grolier International Encyclopedia (1992). Grolier Incorporated. Danbury, Conneticut
Reference Book Errors and Comments
Title: The World Book Encyclopedia
Publisher: World Book, Inc.
ISBN Number: 0 - 7166 - 0094 - 3
Book Year: 1994
| Word Count (40) | Accuracy (40) | Visuals (15) | Bibliography (5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19,000 | Portrayal: 9 | Total: 52 | Works Cited: 12 |
| Care of facts: 8 | Maps: 15 | ||
| Up-to-date: 8 | Pict./Illust.: 22 | ||
| Romanization: 8 | Chart/Graph: 15 | ||
| POINTS: 11.7 | 33 | 10.1 | .8 |
Factual Errors or Inconsistencies
| Page | Errors | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| 764 (C) | 17 nations contributed men to the U.N. force that fought in the Korean War | 16 nations contributed men to the U.N. force and this book also mentions that 16 U.N. countries sent armed forces to Korea in page 342 (I). |
| 370 (K) | Housing styles: North Koreans live in apartment buildings, South Koreans live in traditional-style houses | A lot of South Koreans live in apartment buildings. |
| 371 (K) | � Many people in rural areas and some in the cities still wear traditional styles. � Most traditional clothing is made of cotton material. � Full skirt that extends below the knees. | � People rarely wear traditional dress. � Most traditional clothing is made of silk (South Korea) and maybe North Koreans' clothing is made of cotton. � The full skirt came down to the ankles in South Korea and to the knees in North Korea. |
| 373 (K) | Total area of Korea is 85,052 sq. miles or 220,284 sq. km. | 85,563 sq. miles or 221, 607 sq. km. |
| 376 (K) | � Koguryo (Koguryö) formed during the A.D. 100's, Paekche and Silla during the late 200's. � South Korea is known as Taehan. | � Koguryö formed in 37 B.C., Paekche in 18 B.C., Silla in 57 B.C. (Traditional dates) Text is correct, but perhaps one should comment on the accepted dates. � South Korea is known as Taehanmin'guk. |
Maps
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 808 (A) | Foreign influence in Asia -- 1914. |
| 809 (A) | When the countries of Asia become independent -- North and South Korea represented for the year 1948. |
| 38 (H) | The Han Empire about A.D. 100. |
| 367 (K) | Small map of North and South Korea in relation to Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan. |
| 369 (K) | Korea political map -- all major cities and towns highlighted. |
| 372 (K) | Korea terrain map showing various land regions in Korea. |
| 380 (K) | Four stages of the Korean War: � North Korea invasion (June to September 1950). � UN forces move north (September to October 1950). � Chinese offensive (November 1950 to January 1951). � UN advance and armistice (January 1951 to July 1953). |
| 383 (K) | Korean War armistice line, established July 27, 1953. |
| 67 (L) | Language families -- Japanese and Korean highlighted as one family. |
| 304 (S) | � Location of Seoul � Seoul metro area � Details of metro area |
Pictures or Illustrations
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 186 (A) | Jet planes faced one another in combat for the first time during the Korean War (1950-53). |
| 789 (A) | A fish market in Pusan, South Korea. |
| 203( F) | Flags of Asia and the Pacific -- North and South Korea represented. |
| 366 (K) | � Pyongyang (P'yöngyang), North Korea's most modern city. � Seoul, the cultural, economic, and educational center of South Korea. |
| 367 (K) | Symbols of North Korea and South Korea -- National flags and coats of arms. |
| 370 K) | Housing styles of North and South Korea. |
| 371 (K) | � Traditional Korean music, performed by members of the National Classical Music Institute. � Buddhism has a strong influence on Korean culture -- Monks at a temple in South Korea. |
| 373 (K) | � The Southwestern Plain covers almost the entire western coast of South Korea. � The Northern Mountains region extends across almost all of central North Korea. |
| 374 (K) | Manufacturing in South Korea -- workers in a Seoul garment factory. |
| 378 (K) | Talks between North and South Korea in 1991 -- representatives of the two Koreas shake hands after signing a peace accord. |
| 379 (K) | Korean War: American troops observing Communist artillery movements. |
| 381 (K) | General Douglas Macarthur, leader of the Inchon (Inch'ön) landing. |
| 382 (K) | Chinese and North Korean negotiators for the armistice. |
| 919 (P) | Pyongyang (P'yöngyang), the capital and largest city of North Korea. |
| 305( S) | Children's Park, north of the Han River in Seoul, South Korea. |
| 306 (S) | A bustling shopping district in Seoul, South Korea. |
| 307 (S) | Seoul's South Gate dates from the city's founding in the late 1300's. |
| 730 (A) | Picture of several styles of U.S. Army uniforms throughout history -- Korean War uniform represented. |
| 238 (S) | Bronze Buddhist triad, excavated from Anap-chi Kyöngju, South Korea. |
Charts or Graphs
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 184 (A) | Famous air battles -- (1950-53): Korean air campaign. |
| 368 (K) | Korea map index |
| 376 (K) | Important dates in Korea -- 12 dates from 108 B.C. to 1991. |
| 381 (K) | Highlights of the Korean War -- Several important dates from 1950-53. |
| 384 (K) | Military casualties in the Korean War -- Totals for the United Nations and Communist forces. |
| 67 (L) | Language families -- Japanese and Korean listed as one family, 4% of all language groups. |
| 426 (S) | Leading merchant fleets of the world -- South Korea listed 14th. |
| 834 (S) | A measure of standard of living -- South Korea list 9th ($3000) of 20 countries represented. |
| 472 (T) | Highlights of Truman's Administration -- 1950, the United States sends forces to South Korea. |
| 25 (W) | Wars involving the United Stated -- Korean War (1950-53): military deaths and war costs listed. |
| 449 (W) | Important dates -- 1950: North Korean Communist troops invade South Korea, starting the Korean War. |
| 513 (K) | Reading and Study Guide on the Korean War -- Topics for study, Books to read, Others sources of information. |
| 367 (K) | Facts in brief -- General information on North and South Korea, beginning of "Korea" section. |
| 304( S) | Facts in brief -- Five general information categories on Seoul, South Korea. |
| 378, 384 (K) | Study aids (List of references, outline, and questions). |
Comments
World Book received modest ratings on each scale of our evaluation. It was not the best in any category, but it was not the worst on any scale either.
Reference Book Errors and Comments
Title: Compton's Encyclopedia and Fact-Index
Publisher: Compton's Learning Company
ISBN Number: AG5 - C73
Book Year: 1994
| Word Count (40) | Accuracy (40) | Visuals (15) | Bibliography (5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20,500 | Portrayal: 6 | Total: 77 | Works Cited: 7 |
| Care of facts: 6 | Maps: 14 | ||
| Up-to-date: 6 | Pict./Illust.: 40 | ||
| Romanization: 6 | Chart/Graph: 23 | ||
| POINTS: 12.6 | 24 | 15 | .5 |
Factual Errors or Inconsistencies
| Page | Error | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| 269 (v12) | Two Koreas still suffer from dependence on foreign aid | South Korea doesn't, and neither does North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union |
| 270 (v12) | Monetary unit of South Korea: 1 Won=100 Chun | South Korea doesn't use Chun [chön] any more |
| 272 (v12) | Everyday expressions in Korea: varies widely between extremely informal and extremely polite. My name is Jones = Jones io I am very glad to see you = Tcham pankap so | My name is Jones = Che irumun Jones imnida. I am very glad to see you = Ch'am pan'gapsumnida. |
| 272 (v12) | Men usually marry at the age of 21 | Men usually marry at late 20's |
| 272, 273 (v12) | Hangab | Hwan'gap |
| 273 (v12) | Most Koreans do not belong to an organized religion | A lot of Koreans belong to an organized religion |
| 273 (v12) | 6 million Christians in Korea | Over 10 million Christians |
| 274 (v12) | 2/5 of Koreans work in agriculture, fishing, forestry | 10% in 1989 |
| 276 (v12) | Mild winter - double cropping on most fields | Severely cold winter - double cropping on some fields in southern areas |
| 282 (v12) | There are no earthquakes | There are some very light earthquakes |
| 293 (v12) | Kyongju (Kyöngju) Temple | Pulguk Temple |
| 177 (v21) | More than 9 million people in Seoul | More than 11 million |
| 178 (v21) | Picture of national museum | It used to be, but is no longer |
| 4 (v23) | Taegu is the only large city away from the coast | Taejon and Kwangju have over one million people and are located away from the coast. |
Maps
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| Not written (2) | World map |
| 167 (v2) | Small map showing the location of Kaesong (Kaesöng), North Korea |
| 272 (v12) | Where the Korean People Live -- general population density map |
| 279 (v12) | Korea showing the locations of Seoul, Songnisan, Kyongju (Kyöngju), Cheju |
| 282 (v12) | Topography of Korea |
| 283 (v12) | Weather on the Korean Peninsula � Average Yearly Precipitation � Average Temperature in August � Average Temperature in January |
| 290-291 (v12) | North and South Korea, with major cities and rivers highlighted -- Index included |
| 297 (v12) | United States and United Nations Forces in the Korean War, 1950-53 -- Major troop advancements and dates cited |
| 374 (v20) | The Russo-Japanese War (1904-5) |
| 176( (v21) | Small map showing the location of Seoul, South Korea |
| 297 (v25) | World map -- Index included |
| 270 (v12) | North and South Korea highlighted on a global map of the Eastern Hemisphere |
Pictures or Illustrations
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 689 (v2) | Workers at a steel foundry in Songnim, North Korea |
| 707 (v2) | A Korean-owned neighborhood grocery store in New York City |
| 166 (v8) | Flags of the world |
| 269 (v12) | The ancient South Gate in Seoul, South Korea |
| 273 (v12) | � Farming village in lowland South Korea � Lira elementary school, one of South Korea's finest private educational institutions |
| 274 (v12) | � Korean National Anthem � Old Capitol Building in Seoul, South Korea |
| 277 (v12) | South Korean fishermen clean a day's catch |
| 278 (v12) | A steel mill in North Korea, the emphasis of economic expansion |
| 279 (v12) | A Tour of Korea: � Kyongbok (Kyöngbok) Palace, now a public park in Seoul, South Korea � Popju (Pöpchu) Temple, at the foot of Mt. Songni, South Korea � Bulguksa (Pulguksa) Temple, at Kyongju (Kyöngju), South Korea, was built about AD 540 � Chomsongdae (Chömsöngdae), an early astronomical observatory, in Kyongju (Kyöngju), South Korea � Chonjeyon (Ch'önjeyön) waterfall on Cheju Island |
| 280 (v12) | Yi Dynasty porcelain jar with designs in underglaze iron |
| 281 (v12) | Kang Gang Su Wol Lae (Circle Dance), one of Korea's many traditional folk dances |
| 285 (v12) | � Statue of Yi Sunsin towers over Seoul's Sejong Avenue � Painting of the Sino-Japanese War, fought by China and Japan over control of Korea |
| 286 (v12) | North-South talks on reuniting families that had been separated by the division of Korea |
| 288( (v12) | Notable Events in Korea's history: � 1592-98: Adm. Yi Sunshin uses ironclad "turtle ships" to battle Japanese invaders � 1919: Mass arrests and executions put down Samil Independence Movement against Japan � 1950-53: A bombed out street during the Korean War � 1963: Park Chung Hee is elected president of South Korea; assassinated in 1979 |
| 292 (v12) | A mask play, used by the lower classes of the Yi Dynasty to make fun of the upper classes |
| 293 (v12) | � A Buddhist scroll, the oldest known Korean printed text � Kyongju (Kyöngju) temple (Pulkuksa) |
| 294 (v12) | A woman teaches another woman how to read during a literacy campaign after World War II |
| 295 (v12) | Korean War: The battleship USS Wisconsin firing 16-inch projectiles at onshore Communist positions |
| 296 (v12) | Korean War: Members of the first Marine brigade to reach Korea advance during the defense of the Pusan perimeter |
| 297 (v12) | Korean War: Marines of the first assault wave scramble over the seawall at the port of Inchon (Inch'ön). |
| 298 (v12) | Korean War: Soldiers of the North Korean army advance toward the front |
| 300 (v12) | Korean War: � Helicopters were used to move troops and evacuate the wounded for the first time in Korea � A lonely sentinel watches a sector of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) |
| 151 (v14) | A traditional Confucian wedding ceremony in Seoul, South Korea |
| 668 (v19) | Pusan, at the southeastern tip of the Korean peninsula |
| 177 (v21) | Namdaemun, or South Gate, one of five remaining gates through Seoul's original city wall |
| 178 (v21) | The National Museum, opened in 1972, stands in a corner of the Kyongbok (Kyöngbok) Palace grounds |
| 645 (v22) | Drawing from "The Scholar of Kosei," a Korean folktale |
| 299 (v23) | President Truman and General MacArthur, prior to the General being relieved of command in Korea |
Charts or Graphs
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 695 (v2) | Political Units of Asia -- North and South Korea represented |
| 270 (v12) | Facts About Korea -- General Information |
| 271 (v12) | � Age and Sex of Korea's population � Population Growth of Korea -- North and South Korea listed together until 1955 |
| 275 (v12) | Government Organization of the Republic of Korea (Executive Branch) |
| 276 (v12) | � Land Use -- percentage � Gross National Product of South Korea (Billions of Dollars) � Employment in South Korea (Thousands of Persons) |
| 277 (v12) | � South Korean Spending Patterns � Principal Products of Korea -- North and South Korea represented |
| 278 (v12) | Foreign Trade of Korea -- Leading Areas and Commodities for South Korea, Leading Areas for North Korea |
| 280 (v12) | Korean Alphabet (Han'gul) |
| 283 (v12) | Climate in Seoul -- Average Temperature and Precipitation during a year |
| 289 (v12) | Korea Fact Summary � Area and Population of Korea compared to the U.S. (1978 population estimates) � Population Density of North and South Korea compared to the U.S. and other nations � Ten year increase (1967-77) of South Korea's Gross National Product (GNP) compared to that of six other nations � Output Percentages of several products from North and South Korea |
| 296 (v12) | The Human Cost of the Korean War -- Total losses for the United Nations and Communist forces |
| 299 (v12) | Chronology of the Korean War -- 1950-53 |
| 84 (v24) | Members of the United Nations -- North and South Korea represented (1991) |
| 272 (v12) | Everyday Expressions in Korean |
| 288 (v12) | The Korean People Build Their Nation -- 20 dates of importance in Korean history from 2nd century B.C. to 1979 |
| 13 (v25) | Important Wars and Battles -- Korean War cited (1950-53) |
Comments
The reviewers also looked at 1991, 92, &93 editions. There were several inconsistencies in population estimates from year to year. Some later years showed a smaller population than earlier years. Also, GNP figures for the 1994 edition were from 1976-77, very much out-of-date when the GNP changes at close to 10% each year.
Reference Book Errors and Comments
Title: Encyclopedia of the Third World
Publisher: Facts on File, Ltd.
ISBN Number: 0-948894
Book Year: 1978
| Word Count (40) | Accuracy (40) | Visuals (15) | Bibliography (5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29,000 | Portrayal: 7 | Total: 27 | Works Cited: 25 |
| Care of facts: 8 | Maps: 2 | ||
| Up-to-date: 6 | Pict./Illust.: 2 | ||
| Romanization: 6 | Chart/Graph: 23 | ||
| POINTS: 17.8 | 27 | 5.3 | 1.7 |
Factual Errors or Inconsistencies
| Page | Errors | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| 780 | Academic year runs from September through June in North Korea | March through February |
| 785 | � Chusok (Ch'usök): Sep 27th � Date of independence: August 15, 1948 � Mountain Chii | � Date changes each year, according to the lunar calendar. � August 15, 1945 -- August 15, 1948 was the date of the founding of the ROK. � Chiri |
| 787 | Christianity introduced in the late 16th century | 18th century in Korea --> 16th in Japan |
| 790 | Administrator of Seoul, Pusan: Mayor Administrator of cities over 50,000 population: Sijang | All of them are called mayor sijang means mayor -- nothing more or less |
| 792 | Coins in Korea: 1, 5, 19, 50, 100 | Coins in Korea: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 Notes: 1000, 5000, 10000 |
| 797 | Academic year runs from September through June in South Korea | March through December |
Maps
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 768 | North Korea in relation to China and South Korea |
| 784 | South Korea in relation to North Korea |
Pictures or Illustrations
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 768 | North Korea's national emblem |
| 784 | South Korea's national emblem |
Charts or Graphs
| Page | Topic |
|---|---|
| 773 | Organization of North Korean government |
| 776 | North Korea: Principal economic indicators |
| 778 | North Korea: Principal crop production |
| 779 | North Korea: Principal mineral production in 1975 |
| 782 | North Korea: Principal health indicators |
| 787 | South Korea: Religious membership in 1975 |
| 788 | South Korea: State Council in 1977 |
| 789 | Organization of South Korean government |
| 790 | South Korea: Hierarchy of territorial units of local government |
| 791 | South Korea: Principal economic indicators |
| 792 | South Korea: � Balance of payments in 1975 � Gross domestic product by economic activity in 1975 � National budget in 1976 |
| 793 | South Korea: Principal crop production in 1975 |
| 797 | South Korea: Educational enrollment in 1975 |
| 798 | Major universities of South Korea in 1977 |
| 799 | South Korea: Principal health indicators |
| 783 | Chronology: North Korea from 1945-77 |
| 801 | Chronology: South Korea from 1948-78 |
| 769 | "Basic Fact Sheet" for North Korea |
| 772 | The North Korean Central People's Committee (1977) |
| 772 | State Administration Council (1977) |
| 785 | "Basic Fact Sheet" for South Korea |
Comments
This text was older, and may not be published any longer, but we decided to evaluate it anyway; we hope it is still published and we hope to find a recent edition.
Its points on the accuracy scale were the lowest, in large measure because it was so out-of-date. There were errors and sloppiness of romanization as well.