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North Korea: A Bare Bones History
Since its birth as a nation in 1948, North Korea has been ruled over by three generations of one brutal family. Kim Il Sung wasted little time before plunging the country into a futile war which cost more than two million people their lives. His son, Kim Jong Il, would wallow in obscene luxury as North Korea suffered one of the Twentieth Century’s most terrible famines.
Kim Jong Un has only recently ascended to power. However, he has already ordered his own uncle’s execution by antiaircraft gun.
The North Korean people are told that they are the most fortunate in the world. In reality they are the most oppressed. North Korea is a country where criticising the government, or even watching a foreign film, can lead to imprisonment and death.
North Korea: A Bare Bones History tells the story of one of the world’s most enigmatic nations. It’s an extraordinary history of war, assassination, kidnapping, terrorism, and an attempt to decapitate a rival head of state.
Kim Jong Un has only recently ascended to power. However, he has already ordered his own uncle’s execution by antiaircraft gun.
The North Korean people are told that they are the most fortunate in the world. In reality they are the most oppressed. North Korea is a country where criticising the government, or even watching a foreign film, can lead to imprisonment and death.
North Korea: A Bare Bones History tells the story of one of the world’s most enigmatic nations. It’s an extraordinary history of war, assassination, kidnapping, terrorism, and an attempt to decapitate a rival head of state.
- GenresHistory
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 8, 2021
To the point narration of the Korean Peninsula and its division into North and South.
Then touches on various subjects in the same precise fashion.
Chapters :
1. The making of a rogue state
2. North vs South
3. Enter the dragon
4. Putting the pieces back together
5. Assassins, Defiance and Defectors
6. Dear leader
7. The demilitarized zone
8. Economic collapse
9. Kim Jong Un - The Great Successor
10. Life in North Korea
11. North korea's Military - should you be worried.
Then touches on various subjects in the same precise fashion.
Chapters :
1. The making of a rogue state
2. North vs South
3. Enter the dragon
4. Putting the pieces back together
5. Assassins, Defiance and Defectors
6. Dear leader
7. The demilitarized zone
8. Economic collapse
9. Kim Jong Un - The Great Successor
10. Life in North Korea
11. North korea's Military - should you be worried.
February 1, 2016
Succinct but good
A very good brief analysis of the madness that is DPRK....
Good way to pass 30 mins and inspired me to read more on the subject
A very good brief analysis of the madness that is DPRK....
Good way to pass 30 mins and inspired me to read more on the subject
January 21, 2018
As the title suggests, it's a bare bones introduction to North Korea, through 1910 to current day.
Great read, and a great starter course for meatier reading to come.
Great read, and a great starter course for meatier reading to come.
December 9, 2019
Very good
I found this book very interesting to read other books I have read have been personal accounts but this is more the history and running g of the country well worth a read
I found this book very interesting to read other books I have read have been personal accounts but this is more the history and running g of the country well worth a read
June 4, 2016
Bare Bones is probably appropriate
An enjoyable read for those who don't really know about the country apart from what they see on TV. Those who find themselves fascinated by North Korea already will not find anything particularly groundbreaking. That said, it is a decent summary of the country and definitely gives you some perspective on just what it's has been through and how it manages to sustain itself through carefully managed hostility.
I would say this book is probably at its strongest when it's discussing the Korean War (and the build up to it). The author clearly has more of an interest in the military history and strategy, as the book does go into more depth in this area. Where the book falls short is in the latter half. It almost feels like everything after the 1960s is a little rushed.
An enjoyable summary nonetheless.
An enjoyable read for those who don't really know about the country apart from what they see on TV. Those who find themselves fascinated by North Korea already will not find anything particularly groundbreaking. That said, it is a decent summary of the country and definitely gives you some perspective on just what it's has been through and how it manages to sustain itself through carefully managed hostility.
I would say this book is probably at its strongest when it's discussing the Korean War (and the build up to it). The author clearly has more of an interest in the military history and strategy, as the book does go into more depth in this area. Where the book falls short is in the latter half. It almost feels like everything after the 1960s is a little rushed.
An enjoyable summary nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews