Not Forgotten: The True Story of My Imprisonment in North Korea

by Kenneth Bae, Mark Tabb (Primary Contributor)

For the first time, Kenneth Bae tells the full story surrounding his arrest and imprisonment in North Korea. Not Forgotten is a modern story of intrigue, suspense, and heart. Driven by his passion to help the people of North Korea, Bae moves to neighboring China to lead guided tours into the secretive nation. Six years later, after eighteen successful excursions in and out of the country, Ken is suddenly stopped at the he inadvertently brought his hard drive, that reveals the true nature of his visits, to customs. He is arrested, brought to Pyongyang for further questioning, and sentenced to fifteen years of hard labor. His crime? Attempting to overthrow the North Korean government. He may never see his family again. Back in America, family and friends rally support by establishing a website and creating a petition for Ken’s release. Soon, major media outlets decry Ken’s unjust imprisonment, bringing needed attention that culminates in President Obama’s call for prayer on behalf of Ken at the 2014 National Prayer Breakfast. Meanwhile, Ken grapples with his new, solitary reality as a captive of one of the world’s most brutal governments. From the first harrowing moments of his ordeal to his release—and even today—Ken never wavers in his love for the North Korean people, even his captors. Not Forgotten is both a compelling narrative of one man’s dedication to serving the less fortunate and a modern testament of a missionary forced to rely solely on the God who sent him into dangerous territory. Readers will marvel at the rare, firsthand tour of life inside the most shrouded country on the planet, meeting its people, experiencing their daily lives, taking in the landscape, and encountering the tyranny of a totalitarian regime. With its combined spiritual and secular appeal, this never-before-told story is sure to captivate and inspire readers of all ages.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Christian, Asia, Biography Memoir, Religion

272 pages, Hardcover

First published February 25, 2016

Reviews

[Aja: The Narcoleptic Ninja · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s kind of hard to be critical of someone’s personal story because it’s their story. It’s what happened to them and they’re retelling it for you. So instead of criticizing, I’m just going to say this story wasn’t for me. I was by no means the target audience of this book, and that’s okay.

I’ll admit, I picked it up by title surfing. “Not Forgotten: The True Story of My Imprisonment in North Korea” is pretty much what I went in expecting. I didn’t realize that Kenneth Bae was a well known missionary or that this book was more about his relationship with G-d while he was imprisoned in North Korea.

If it sounds like a story you’d want to read then by all means pick it up. I’ve even recommended it to someone I think would enjoy it. I just didn’t. I didn’t agree with some of Kenneth’s choices, and the way he told the story just didn’t resonate with me. There were times I was bored or just beyond unmotivated to keep reading, so overall, not my favorite read.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, as an agnostic this memoir was a bit of an eye roller for me, as the author attributed his entire experience, from captivity to release, as the will of God. I have to admit I even found myself at times agreeing with the skeptical North Koreans who pretty much thought he was delusional for believing in something unseen and unheard. (The irony that the North Koreans are as brainwashed to believe in the leadership of the Kims as the author is brainwashed to believe in his God is not lost on me.)

I also have to admit that his being detained has merit in the eyes of a North Korean. North Koreans are taught to believe in their gods, the Kims. Here comes this guy, crossing into their country to spread the word of his god. When you travel to another country, the consequences of not following their laws include arrest and imprisonment. He did not follow North Korean laws - in fact he blatantly disobeyed them - and the result was his captivity.

Irrespective of the major God element in this memoir, I enjoyed the read and found it interesting. He's a nice man who believes in the work he does and in his God, and his belief in God did sustain him throughout his captivity whereas a person like me might lose hope quickly. That said, I still felt sorry for him, not only for his confinement but also for his inability to see the similarity between his blind faith in his God and the North Koreans in their leaders. Without that acknowledgement, I'm not sure their work will ever achieve its goal.

[PingPing · Rating 5 out of 5]

An very honest account of what Kenneth had endured including his struggle, his hope, his heart for the people of North Korea. Gripping yet can feel his sense of calmness and his strong faith, his low point in his faith and how he regained his faith when different events unfolded. I couldn't imagine how he could have endured all those hard labour and emotional sufferings from the people he tried to help so much. Captive in Iran was more gripping but these two books are very similar in the sense that both the authors persevered, had found new strength by truly surrendering their will to God, His will and not our will which takes so much faith and trust. Another cannot put down book which we can gain insight into how missionary persevere amidst all the sufferings in such a harsh environment.

[Teresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the description of this book and was pretty excited. I am very interested in North Korea and want to learn more about every aspect of its culture and political system.....instead I got Christian propaganda and religious delusions bordering on mental illness.

Now, to be fair, Bae did document what happened to him in North Korea very well...from the start to the end we got everything in detail so that's good. I would be lying if I said i didn't learn anything here because I did. I learned more about their social system, what daily life is really like, how the political prisoner thing works and how exactly America handles it when this kind of thing happens. I'm grateful for this education. I am however unsure on a few things but I'm generally not invested enough to care about a few skips in detail so i'll live.

But good lord, I quickly hit a point where I was just reading this to see what crazy shit Bae would say next (very early on...after he implied god made him forget key facts his interrogaters were asking for some unknown reason). I can understand one's faith helping them through uncertain and dark times but this was just straight up delusion. I'm really supposed to believe God gave him and his team money? God made people bring him the soup he had been craving? I don't think so. Also, Bae never knew when enough was enough...it's not really appropriate to be going through what he was going through and tell them Jesus sent you or to start raving in a fever pitch of religious ecstacy at the top of your lungs. He's lucky that kind of shit didn't backfire on him. I officially gave up on him as a balanced individual when he said he still wanted to mission in North Korea and when in the depths of self pity (that any of us would have) he decided god didn't send him home earlier because this is part of a plan. Yeah okay, you normally have to go to a yoga studio to make that kind of stretch. I just really can't get over it, I would give my friends updates on the crazy shit this man was spewing as I kept on reading and it was honestly endlessly entertaining, infuriating and ridiculous all at once. good lord.

Look to sum it up, if you want to read this for North Korea and you're not religious or your religion hasn't totally melted your mental capacities just skip it. The only time I felt bad was when a dog was part of the story and I generally spent way more time yelling at the book then enjoying it. Don't do it.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I followed Kenneth Bae’s story while it unfolded in 2013-14, and I would’ve gotten this book even if the reviews had been awful. (Are they?) This memoir lacks the detail and rawness of The Aquariums of Pyongyang or Escape from Camp 14, usually offering only bare-bones descriptions of cells, buildings, furniture, food, clothes, physical appearances, and all the things that I’d hoped would enrich my understanding of the modern North Korean gulag. Instead, Bae quotes heavily from the Bible and other things that inspired him, like supporters’ letters and The Purpose Driven Life, which Wikipedia calls “a Christian devotional book” (obviously I don’t have my finger on the pulse of “Christian devotional books,” because Wikipedia also says it sold 30 million copies and I’ve never heard of it).

Bae has a strongly mystical bent, religiously speaking, and describes several direct communions with God. First, while he’s being held in a cold room, he feels his hand get warm and realizes the Holy Spirit is holding his hand. After that, the references to this immediate relationship start flying fast and furious, most seriously when a demon tries to choke him during the night, until he yells, “In the name of Jesus, get out! You filthy, evil spirit, get out!” But he finds God helping him in less dramatic ways, too: “If this is your house, and this is your will, this is your bill, Lord. Since it was his bill, I also asked how much he wanted to pay. I heard ¥150,000, or $18,000.”; “I counted at least forty times when God gave me the exact food I craved.”; “I had been craving each of these things in exactly the order in which she pulled them out of her bag, but I had never mentioned the cravings in any of my letters. I thought, Wow, Lord! You really have been listening to the desires of my heart!”; “My team and I prayed for specific amounts of money, and then we received the exact amount we asked God for from someone we had never even met.”; “Then I heard the voice of the Spirit of God say to me, Open your Bible to Zephaniah 3:20.” It goes on and on. People are talking about lunch or whatever, and Bae thinks, “I had a food they didn’t know about—Jesus!” It’s unfair to ask a person of Bae’s faith and history to tone down the religiosity, but I certainly wished for that a couple times. His beliefs, front and center as they are, differ from mine enough that I couldn’t relate to what he was feeling as well as I wanted to.

Certain things worried me, like when Bae reveals the identity of Songyi, a missionary living within North Korea, and she gets captured and forced to testify against him. God promised Bae “no one will be harmed,” but her story never receives follow-up and I still feel pretty concerned about her. (No offense, God.) I also continue to be fascinated and baffled by Dennis Rodman’s relationship with Kim Jong un (“or as I call him ‘Kim’”), which makes a brief appearance when he tweets a request that Bae be released and then gives an interview somewhat critical of Bae (“Later Rodman apologized and said he was drunk when he did the interview.”). Euna Lee pops up, too, and—trigger warning!—they kill and eat a dog. (Not Bae and Euna Lee, other people. Anyway dogs are eaten.)

The writing contains simplistic repetition and can get oppressively cheesy. Often, I hoped for more insight; sentences like “The incessant propaganda made me feel even worse than I already did, and I felt pretty awful” don’t add much to a story about imprisonment in North Korea, and when the prosecutor told Bae that he’d be eating noodle soup in prison when he was 60, I wished Bae had a better comeback than “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” But his story still interests me, and it’s important for us to be aware of what happened to him, and of the political machinations generally at work when North Korea detains Americans.

[Max Heimowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since you believe in a different god, you came to pray against us and against our Great Leader.

Memoirs are always difficult to review, and Kenneth Bae's harrowing memoir is no difficult. Convicted of some of the highest crimes against the North Korean state, he violated Article 60 of the Constitution, which could have meant a death sentence. Instead, sentenced to 15 years in a labor camp, he eventually makes it out after only two. And all of this because he hoped to spread Christianity, albeit subtly, throughout North Korea.

Kenneth Bae's memoir made me think a lot about my own identity in terms of religion. I was born into a Jewish family, and because of its matrilineal nature, I am Jewish by birth. Jews are a rather small portion of the world population, and we, historically, do not really make efforts to proselytize. That thought, concerning proselytizing efforts, was what I was working to wrestle throughout the memoir. Had Bae not been driven by his desire to spread Christianity, especially to the North Korean people, would he have found himself convicted and sent to a labor camp? I do not mean to mock or undermine the tenets of a religion of which I am not a part, but because of my complicated relationship with religion -- and especially my complicated feelings about proselytizing -- Bae's ideas, such as "God wanted me in North Korea. God had called me here. He had a purpose for my being a prisoner" (171) didn't really sit well with me.

However, that is not to say that I admire his strength and his desire to alter the perception of North Korea. He writes, "I also wanted the people I brought into North Korea to experience the beauty of the country and its people," which is actually, for lack of a better word, quite touching (54). He wanted to change the negative perceptions of the people living in the country. It's also similarly interesting that upon confessing to his "crimes" Bae is told that he was "deceived by all the misinformation you received in school in South Korea and through the media in America" (73). Bae works to change the outsider perception of North Korea, while the North Koreans themselves believe that Bae's own perception is skewed, which I found quite fascinating.

Combining both the perception of North Korean life and the spread of religion -- whether that be juche or Christianity -- it was equally as fascinating to see both Bae and the North Korean guards/prosecutors, for example, try to convert one another. Bae explains that one of the guards "was every bit the preacher I was, only his religion was juche" (145). The religious adherence to juche is tantamount to North Korean life, and so Bae's insistence that the North Koreans must open themselves up to Christianity is entirely in opposition to every tenet of their life philosophy. However, I sensed a sort of hypocrisy in Bae's analysis of the North Koreans -- he explains, "Perhaps the political officer was trying to convert me through his acts of kindness" (159). Is this not exactly what Bae sought out to do, by demonstrating his kindness, open-heartedness, goodwill, and grace toward the Noth Koreans, he had hoped to turn them to Christianity (albeit in a subtle manner?) That fact that he recognizes the machinations of the North Korean guards while simultaneously endeavoring to do something so similar felt a little off-putting to me.

Is there a point at which one religion should truly trump another? What makes Bae's Christianity "better" than the North Koreans juche? Why should one convert from one to another? Surely, juche leads to much pain and suffering, however much the North Koreans refuse to admit it. But why is Bae's proselytizing effort more valid than the North Korean's efforts with juche?

[Alexandria Morales · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've recently been reading a panoply of memoirs and nonfiction related to North Korea in order to glean knowledge about the regime. I found that Not Forgotten: The True Story of My Imprisonment in North Korea did not further my insights about the country at all. It is basic background information that North Korea is an atheistic state wherein juche, roughly "self-reliance", and worship of the Kim dynasty is effectively the only legal and compulsory religion. Beyond noting that Christianity, along with other forms of belief are illegal and savagely punishable, the memoir does not offer any other wisdom regarding the regime. Kenneth Bae's experience as a prisoner then utilized as a bargaining chip between the United States and North Korea in their diplomatic relationship is too unique to illuminate much about day to day life under the regime. Also, as an American and as someone who displays no interest in scholarly work about the regime, there's no intellectualism to Bae's memoir at all. If you, like me, are interested in North Korea-related memoirs as a vessel to learn more about the regime, I recommend the following books instead, in any order:

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park
The Girl with Seven Names: Escape from North Korea by Hyeonseo Lee

Another potential point of contention with Kenneth Bae's memoir is that of the strength of his Christian faith. As an agnostic reader, I felt alienated by his chronic reference to his Christian faith and God's will. To the secular reader who doesn't take God's existence and interference in our lives as a self-evident truth, Bae's consistent, implicit proselytizing can be off-putting, irritating, and even verge on ludicrous; it seems he isn't aware of basic psychological blindspots human beings can have such as confirmation bias. He also doesn't seem to notice the irony related to how his fervent belief in Christianity could arguably be related to how absolutely North Koreans believe in juche and the Kim dynasty due to the regime's propaganda. This is underscored by the fact that Bae never explains nor defends his Christian faith to readers, and seems to assume we'll agree that he's reasonable.

The book works if one is an extremely religious Christian who wants a triumphant narrative of a man whose faith sustains him during two admittedly anxiety-provoking, dreadful years. However, for secular readers and people with a genuine interest in North Korea, diplomacy, or even fair-minded argumentation in regards to religion, this book is an unhelpful slog. Kafkaesque circumstances that should've been interesting, drained of artistry, ruined by an aggravating, pollyannaish Jesus freak for a narrator.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is as fascinating as it is harrowing. Mr. Bae's journey as a North Korean was definitely a struggle, but if you are as morbidly curious about the goings-on of the modern day DPRK as I am, the silver lining to this whole experience is that it does provide real insight to the mindset of North Korean citizens and their way of life. At times, his writings about God can be a bit preachy and boring (he is a minister after all), but it adds an important dimension to his perspective. Throughout the work it becomes clear that his faith is what helped him through even the darkest times, and the resolve it gave him can even appeal to non-religious readers.

[Kaitie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite an enjoyable read! When the author wasn't rambling about God, his observations of North Korea were interesting. I did think that Kenneth Bae alone was responsible for many of his experiences in North Korea though. If the "Supreme Leader"is taken out of North Korean propaganda, and replaced with "Jesus", then the language is very similar, and Bae and the North Koreans have something in common. I therefore thought that Kenneth was more part of the problem, rather than part of the solution, and I certainly wouldn't want to live in either society. Still, he was a nice man who meant well, and the reflections on a different society and culture were interesting.

[Tim Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I continue to devour anything I can around North Korea, this story was a fascinating recap of Kenneth Bae's struggle as the longest-held hard labor camp prisoner since the Korean War. He went over as a missionary, so there's obviously a lot of his God-stuff in here, but if you look past that, you'll see a thrilling story on the politic games and brainwashing employed by North Korea on their people and the rest of the world and their pathetic attempts to blame everything on the US, South Korea and Japan.

[Rachel N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Forgotten is a gripping account from a man who sought to serve God in the worst of circumstances. One of the best books I have read in a long time. I have read many accounts of missionaries in China but this is the first inside look to North Korea I have read and it was unbelievably eye opening. Thank you, Kenneth Bae, for writing your story and showing us what it looks like to find God in the most dire of circumstances, that there is always a bigger story at work, and that we are not forgotten... and neither are the sweet people of North Korea.

[Nathan Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful testimony.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was incredibly hard to read, but so informative and speaks volumes on the strength this man had to survive these conditions.

[Ann Schaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember following this story in the news, and was eager to read this book by Kenneth Bae who was imprisoned in North Korea for two years. I've been fascinated with the country since I was able to visit the DMZ (demilitarized zone between North and South Korea) in 1992. I've read several books on the country, which helps me learn about different perspectives regarding this strange, strange culture. I still have a lot to learn.

My impression of North Korean work camps was largely based on the book "Escape from Camp 14" by Blaine Harden that was published in 2012 about a man who escaped a prison camp. The camp described in that book was absolutely horrifying, comparable and even worse than stories I've read about the German concentration camps. This is the image I've had in my head when I hear about US citizens sent to work camps. So I was surprised by the much more humane treatment of Kenneth Bae. He was fed every day and had access to a bed, a restroom and bath, a few books, and even television (granted it was nearly all propaganda). Mr. Bae was in a prison exclusively for foreign prisoners where he did have to work in fields or doing various other tasks. I don't doubt that his ordeal was taxing, but it was a lot different that I expected.

Mr. Bae set up a tour group to take people into North Korea. What the North Koreans did not know is that he was actually a missionary, and the people on his tour groups were there to pray for the North Koreans. On his 18th trip into the country, he accidentally brought in a hard drive that was discovered by the government and alerted them to his mission. He was detained and imprisoned for two years. The book includes a lot of reflection of his Christian faith, and he eventually learns to accept and make the most of God's plan for his life.

[Yibbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

How do I review this book? I’m really torn about what to say. On one hand, it’s amazing to read of Bae’s growing relationship with the Lord, but on the other, there are some really odd and, I believe, unbiblical beliefs promoted. But how can you critic them when they are so woven into a personal testimony? I’m here in safety writing a review of his book. He was there suffering for living out his beliefs. I think I’ll just say that while, I’m filled with admiration for his service, openness, and humility, I am deeply concerned about some of his beliefs.
My first concern was the gold dust that miraculously showed up shortly after his arrest. When, in Scripture, did God ever manifest Himself as gold dust? Then he claimed he heard directly from God. Based on nothing more than what he thought God told him, he betrays Christians living in North Korea. Then we find out that he was there not to meet other Christians or to reach the lost, but to have prayer meetings to bring down the evil spirits holding the country captive. Actually, the cause much his trouble is the spiritual warfare terminology he used in his presentations. I’m not saying he was wrong in trying to establish a way into the country. It’s just that I can’t see any biblical basis for what he was doing.
It was wonderful to read about the personal witnessing he was able to do in the last part of his imprisonment. I too pray that it bears much fruit.
Because of all the concerns I have about the theology in this book, I cannot recommend it.
I received this as a free ARC from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson--W Publishing. No favorable review was required, and these are my honest opinions.

[Gsmyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful recollection of time in imprisonment in North Korea. Although I am not a religious person I found it intriguing and believable how God intervened in his life and proved he was supporting him. More compelling than many religious arguments. Although I would agree that Kenneth was wrongfully held for much longer than necessary due to political reasons, I also agree that he knew that being a missionary was "illegal" and that he could be harmed or arrested for his activities under the laws of the country he was visiting. Having been to 47 countries myself, I find it intriguing that no matter if you believe what you are doing is good and righteous, you are still bound to respect the traditions and laws of where you visit no matter how insane they are. Everyone should take time to read this memoir as even in the worst nations, people are people and connections can be made.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone detained, interrogated & imprisoned in North Korea, Kenneth Bae has a very unique story to tell. While I certainly enjoyed the insight on life in North Korea & learning the details of his experience, the book waffles between a fascinating historical account & an outright, blatant proselytizing for Christianity & Bae's particular version/experience of it.

Learning details of Bae's detainment is really insightful, but I found the continuous proselytizing annoying & rather off putting. If you haven't guessed, Bae is a Christian missionary & he uses the memoir of his ordeal to continue his work. He is at times overly preachy when extolling the virtues of his belief & what he claims to be the work of god.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried... well, maybe not that hard. Had to stop. I just couldn't get past all of the praying and the Bible quoting.

[Tae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 25 of 2020

After reading about Laura Ling’s detainment in North Korea, I knew his book was next on my list. I follow Eugene Cho who is a pastor in Seattle who ministered to Kenneth Bae’s family and so he would often post about Kenneth Bae. I also saw Kenneth Bae on several Korean TV shows regarding his detainment.

My biggest question was what did he do? Well, that was answered in first few pages of the book. How a simple but honest mistake could take two years of your life. I felt bad for Mr. Bae and I’m so glad that he had his faith. It’s amazing the difference between Laura’s detainment which was only several months to Mr. Bae. It seemed like Laura didn’t have peace and was a wreck the entire time even though she was treated fairly well. Mr. Bae on the other hand showed a lot of inner strength even as he was laboring outside. Think the clear difference here is faith.

Mr. Bae unfortunately isn’t related to anyone who has a lot of connections and so it clearly shows you the difference between the haves and the have not. And because of that, he had to suffer and be detained much longer. It’s a shame that he isn’t able to go back to North Korea even though his heart yearns for the people there.

Definitely enjoyed his book much more than Laura’s book and maybe it is because I am a person of faith like Mr. Bae. I hope that this incident has made him a stronger person and wish him the best!

mybookcritic.com

[Toby Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book! The book helped me to understand the type of culture in North Korea. Kenneth was a prison because North Korea is not allowed anyone to preach the gospel. God gave much grace to Kenneth that he stayed prison for less than two years out of 15 years. Reading through the book, it enhanced my comprehend what North Korea is like if I lived there or arrested. It is a worse place we should avoid. But the summarize point of the book is what God has done for Kenneth. It is for His glory manifest in Kenneth to the world! God is good at all time! Highly recommended for anyone to read this book. Very readable! Very enjoyable to read it!

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh boy. Obviously I love North Korea memoirs, so I actually picked this up without reading a description of it at all. As such, I was fully unprepared for just how much Jesus talk there would be, given that Mr. Bae was/is a Christian missionary. I do not doubt that his faith allowed him to survive a truly horrific experience, but I could have done with fewer sections about how he was craving a food and then someone brought him that food and that’s how he knows that God is real.

[Darjeeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute mad lad.

[Madison Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal memoir. He indeed was not forgotten. 10/10 recommend as it was both intriguing and encouraging.

[Dan Shumway · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best North Korea book I have read.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story. Well told. I don't consider myself a Christian, but I believe in the power of prayer. We should probably pray for all the people of the world, but this book made me want to say a special prayer for North Korea, every day. I have prayed for them before, but then their plight goes out of my head. There are so many to remember. This was a good reminder.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love biographies especially about ordinary people who live by faith through difficult circumstances in extraordinary ways. This story fits that description. And like other such stories this biography could fit right into Hebrews 11 the Bible’s Hall of Fame. Not because Kenneth Bae was some kind of superhero. He wasn’t. He was an ordinary, humble man who walked by faith. Some days he soared. Other days he was depressed. I appreciated his honesty, humor, patience, and meekness. I appreciated watching his deep faith grow until he allowed God to use him as an imprisoned missionary to North Korea, desperate to go home.
One of the songs Bae sang while imprisoned capsulizes his time in North Korea. It is entitled Knowing You by Graham Kendrick. You can hear it at: Knowing You
What struck me about North Korea was how they want to be taken seriously by the world, to be respected. Compared to other imprisonments I have read about Bae’s imprisonment could have been much worse. North Korea really wanted Bae to go home but the US would not play the game the way they wanted it played out. What they really seemed to want was for President Obama to go to North Korea and get Bae. President Clinton had done this with two women prisoners when he was president. Obama never came. After 735 days, a little more than two years, Bae received a special pardon by the order of Kim Jong Un. Who knows why? The longer Bae was in their county the more western exposure and Christian influence he was having on the guards, wardens, prosecutors, doctors, etc. Had Kenneth Bae become too much of a liability?
Not Forgotten is an outstanding true story. I highly recommend it.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a poorly written book. I was surprised that, with a subject so full of intrigue and suspense, the author was able to make me wish the book were shorter, or that he would just get too the point. The only thing worse than the writing was the reader on the audio version. I'm not sure if he wasn't familiar with the book or what, but he sounded like he was reading a bedtime story to a child.

[Nicole Brewin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bae's book reminds me of a stubborn child who does something he knows is against the rules, and is shocked when he gets into trouble.
Bae claims to have a heart to reach the people of the DPRK, but his portrayal in the book shows his main concern was his own avoidance of work and release from imprisonment.
I don't mean to belittle his health problems or the trauma of imprisonment, and admittedly Bae eventually decides to sing Christian songs loudly as an act of missions.
Despite this, I was disappointed in the seemingly lengthy amount of time Bae was imprisoned in which he chose to sulk rather than continue his goal- being a missionary in a closed country.
Ultimately, I was expecting to read a book about the people of the DPRK and how they react to the gospel, but instead read a book about Bae's constant anxiety for release, with a few mentions of how he befriended guards.
If nothing else, the book is a reminder that God can use anyone to further his cause and when we're in situations we don't appreciate, it does no good to wallow. Probably not the message Bae intended.

[Elke Vekeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoewel ik al enkele boeken gelezen heb over Noord-Korea, was dit relaas niet echt een ontdekking.
Deze man was missionaris en had voor de Noord-Koreanen bezwarende info op zijn laptop. Hij is dagenlang ondervraagd, heeft 3x enige tijd doorgebracht in een gevangenkamp en daartussen ook in een ziekenhuis verbleven.
Zijn tijd in Noord-Korea was, in vergelijking met eerdere verhalen die ik las, niet echt een verschrikkelijke ervaring, omdat hij als Amerikaans staatsburger, eerder diende als politiek pasmunt tussen Noord-Korea en Amerika en dus nog redelijk goed behandeld werd.
Toch heeft dit boek mij weer enkele nieuwe inzichten opgeleverd over het land.
Voor wie nog nooit iets gelezen heeft over Noord-Korea, is dit een goed begin, maar ik zou toch ook andere boeken aanraden, waaronder die die ik zelf heb staan.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book detailing Kenneth Bae's imprisonment in the DPRK.

If you are not a Christian, or you don't enjoy books where people talk about God a lot, don't bother reading this book. As you can tell by previous reviews, you may just see this as "slog" written by a "Jesus-freak narrator".

If you ARE a Christian and enjoy reading books that highlight God's presence and acts, you will enjoy this book. The writing is simple and it's a quick read. It's also very insightful to what actually happens when someone is imprisoned in the DPRK, and it's very different than what I expected. Ultimately I was very interested in reading about what happened to Kenneth Bae in North Korea, as well as how he reacted to it. He's human- he discussed his weakness and struggles, as well as the large and small triumphs along the way. Overall I thought the book was insightful and inspiring.