Inside North Korea

by Mark Edward Harris, Bruce Cumings (Foreword)

All but closed to outside visitors and influence, its public posture guarded and combative, we see almost nothing from inside North Korea. Award-winning photographer Mark Edward Harris has had rare access to this reclusive country, traveling within its borders as well as documenting life along its northern border with China and the highly militarized DMZ dividing North and South Korea. His images are amazing: the monumental architecture and empty streets of the capital; tightly controlled zones of economic and tourist trade with South Korea; mass games featuring 100,000 choreographed participants. Short essays, extended captions, and a foreword by North Korea expert Bruce Cumings further illuminate a country increasingly at the center of international politics.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, History, Asia, Ebooks

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2007

Reviews

[Cláuꕤdia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick read since most of the book is composed by photographs that portray life in North Korea and the nation’s history. Even though my knowledge on North Korea has been growing, I still managed to discover many things I didn’t know. An enjoyable read, as always. North Korean books have become my guilty pleasure. Definitely worth to have on my collection for the unique photographs, so I will buy it as soon as possible!

[Steven]

Predominately a book of very fascinating photos. Books such as this are always interesting to me due to wondering how much of it is influenced/controlled by parties other than the author/photographer. Great visuals.

[Ian Hefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful pictures from a strange country.weird formatting for an ebook though.

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Las imágenes hablan por si solas.
Si bien, me gustaría más contexto en las fotografías, da un acercamiento de lo qué es el conflicto coreano.

[Hotavio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harris' photographs are a look into a forbidden world. They sum up what we have come to understand of the small isolated nation. While bizarre, surreal, and stark, a beauty is relayed in these glimpses. They feel dangerous to look at. One can only imagine the rush Harris must have felt in taking them. I enjoyed the hour or so it took to consume Inside North Korea . It was some of the best entertainment 5 dollars could buy.

[Yudsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know deeper about North Korea, you don't need to read this book. But if you want to see various photograph about North Korea and some information about its country, this book worth to read. Although due to North Korea permit and policy, many limitation about what that allowed to shown. But that not reduce to show great photograph about North Korea, especially I really love to see color and design that influenced heavily from Soviet artistic style.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can hardly say I "read" this book, as it's mostly pictures. But it's definitely interesting, particularly if you're obsessed with Cold War/socialist-type politics. I still can't believe that North Korea is so cut off, and that no one seems to care except for when they threaten nuclear attacks. It is so much worse there than it was in East Germany or the USSR.
Come on, people!

[Valarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This photography book has the perfect blend of text and photos to illustrate the current situation in North Korea. The two-page spreads are fantastic, filling the reader's vision to transport them to the Hermit Kingdom. The essays and captions are honest and objective.

[Sir He-Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly frightening but extremely important book on the worst nation on Earth.

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have looked through this at a Borders Books in Westlake. These pictures give a good view of how the people live their lives in North Korea.

[John Hardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An astounding picture book about the world's most isolated country. Many of the pictures were probably staged, but they offer a rare glimpse of what goes on inside the "Hermit Kingdom."

[Krisna Partawindu · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book with amazing pictures.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

A picture book with short essays about the pictures, it really wasn't that interesting.

[Charlie Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the pictures are fascinating, but it tempers it a little bit when you think that the photo ops were no doubt heavily censored.