The Kim dynasty has ruled North Korea for over 60 years. Most of that period has found the country suffering under mature Stalinism characterized b...
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Mar 25, 2010
Yoonmee
rated it: 
I want to provide a disclaimer that I'm still learning more about North Korea, so I can't really assess this book as a scholar or even as a hobbyist. While Lankov provides some really fascinating information about North Korea, I can't say I completely agree with his political views. (I got a little tired of the snarky remarks made about South Korean leftists and liberals.) Also, I'm not sure how up to date some of the information he provides is -- this isn't the place to try to verify all hi
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Oct 27, 2010
Megan
rated it:
This started out strong. It really did. Except for the badly Photoshopped cover, I was enjoying it, and filing facts away just in case I ever find myself becoming the Benevolent Exalted Joyful Leader of some small impoverished nation. (There are so many things to consider, and it's wise to do your dictatorial research ahead of time, or employ a minion to do it. You don't want to flub anything.)
I really enjoyed the level of detail presented in the first half of the book, which, althou More...
I really enjoyed the level of detail presented in the first half of the book, which, althou More...
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Oct 18, 2011
Zinger
rated it: 
This book had a systematic approach to explaining North Korea that I thought was very useful. Each chapter had a series of essays touching the main topic of the chapter. I loved the authors side remarks pointing out the absurdity of logic most of the policies have.
This is a nation that really does everything wrong as far as individual liberty is concerned, but still the regime survives. This book explains why. It has been subsidized by Soviet Russia and communist China, and now by More...
This is a nation that really does everything wrong as far as individual liberty is concerned, but still the regime survives. This book explains why. It has been subsidized by Soviet Russia and communist China, and now by More...
May 03, 2010
La Petite Américaine
rated it:
This book is a decent place to start if one wants to learn more about North Korea (although I think Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynastyis much better). However, most of the information in the first third of the book can be found on online travelogues.
Two stars have to come off for his conviction that the two Koreas will be united one day soon and for his nonchalance about human rights abuses in that country. Reunification is not guaranteed, More...
Two stars have to come off for his conviction that the two Koreas will be united one day soon and for his nonchalance about human rights abuses in that country. Reunification is not guaranteed, More...
Sep 12, 2010
James
rated it:
A wealth of interesting, completely non-footnoted, lightly sourced information about daily life in North Korea.
Sort of have to take the author's word for it, I guess.
(It's been a while since I read it-- there may have been some footnotes, but I distinctly remember being underwhelmed by the extent to which it's just The Author Saying Things. I don't remember doubting the veracity of what he was writing all that much, it just seemed sort of an uncomfortable lapse for a non-memoir More...
Sort of have to take the author's word for it, I guess.
(It's been a while since I read it-- there may have been some footnotes, but I distinctly remember being underwhelmed by the extent to which it's just The Author Saying Things. I don't remember doubting the veracity of what he was writing all that much, it just seemed sort of an uncomfortable lapse for a non-memoir More...
Jul 31, 2010
Whitney
rated it: 
This book was a really interesting read. I knew almost nothing about North Korea before I started. The author really seemed to capture the essence of the country. My one complaint is the being a Soviet, he didn't take into account the Asian view of things. There were some things described in the book that were extreme (because N Korea is extreme in everything), but in a way smaller form is the way they would do things in S Korea or Japan. That was the only thing though and I would recommend this
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Feb 06, 2011
Aaron
rated it:
I read this book shortly after reading "Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea" by Barbara Demick, which I also really enjoyed very much Both books are very interesting, at least for me, since I lived in South Korea for seven years and always found the contrast between North and South Korea quite amazing. However, where the other book is written by an American and includes more intimate stories about a few individuals in a smaller city, this book touches on many smaller subjec
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Feb 23, 2011
Chris
rated it:
With refreshing wit, Lankov shows how the citizenry of North Korea have been successfully coping with their uniquely brutal and dysfunctional society for decades and explains how the end may very well be near. Knocked off a star for poor editing and iffy grammar.
Apr 23, 2011
Aniko
rated it:
the first part is typical for orientalizing 19th century travel books: tidbits of exotica. there are some useful chapter in the second part, though.
Jun 29, 2011
Valentin
rated it:
It is repetitive at times, although that is to be expected from a book, which is essentially a collection of essays.
However, it describes well the North Korean life and situation and, in my opinion, outlines the most important developments that are leading to the inevitable collapse of the Northern regime.
However, it describes well the North Korean life and situation and, in my opinion, outlines the most important developments that are leading to the inevitable collapse of the Northern regime.
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