Customer Reviews

Korea: The Hard Way, Battling Invisible Trade Barriers - A story from the Front Lines of America's Trade War

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In the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit I know and work with the author. I mostly bought the book becuase of this, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the content and how easy it was to read.

The first chapter of the book reads like a bad term paper on global trade. Once you get past that (and I would skip it if I were you), you get into the meat of Franks experience opening a plant in Korea. Frank is at his best as an author when he tells his story from his direct experience. I read this book on a plane on my way to a meeting, and found myself laughing out loud at some of the situations Frank described.

In my opinion, the best part of the book was a story about Frank being mistaken for a celebrity by a bunch of little girls in Korea. I can just see him there signing those autographs; it was just one of many amusing tales that Frank relayed about his unique experineces in Korea.

As a business book, there is much to be learned from Franks story. I'd recommend the book to anyone who is considering an overseas assignment in Korea or Asia in general. Frank gives some good advise on how to survive as an ex-Pat as well as some insight into the ethical differences between US business practices and those in play in Korea/Asia today.

Frank is writing another book called "China: We all fall down." I'll buy that one becuase its likely to be a good business book (not just to please Frank). I highly recommend Korea: The Hard Way by Frank Kiska.

Book Review - Korea The Hard Way

I must admit that when I started reading Korea The Hard Way, I was expecting a rather technical and instructional account of how to conduct business in Korea. `Not at all.' What a delightful surprise. I found myself quickly drawn in to the real test of a good book. i.e.: The inability to put it down.

Ultimately, one is drawn to the conclusion of the book that in order to balance the injustice of eastern unfair trade policies, one must realize that the power is in the hands of the consumer. Unfortunately, the average North American is totally ignorant of the practices of nations such as Korea. How could they know about income tax audits on foreign cars when newspaper coverage only ever mentions North Korea in association with nuclear production capabilities?

Sabres must be rattled in high places and the details of this book must be made known to senators and parliamentarians with foreign trade responsibilities. To fund this cost and proliferate effective lobbying, trade unions must be willing to take up the baton and run with it. ECC countries should be equally inspired to take protective action.

Unfortunately, although the message is sincere as well as accurate, much of the rest of the world views the American giant with scepticism. In basic terms, `their ain't a lot of trust out there.' Every time the great superpower flexes military might, rumours of mineral wealth gathering percolate to the top and override the original intentions.

At the `whatever cost to others,' is the perception often of those who find themselves caught up in the modern American empire. When this engine starts to gather speed it invariably invokes fear. Samuel Johnson wrote, "Fear is planted in us as a preservative from evil, but its duty, like that of other passions, is not to overbear reason but to assist it." The Eastern plan is so subversive that the Westerner does not have a clue that it is time to be fearful in order to be defensive.

Western nations, in particular the USA must learn to play the same game. If the USA continues to play the game expecting that others will join in and play according to the American perspective, it will lose. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, "We must become the change we want to be." The American Nation must learn to understand the other guy on his turf using his rules.

In summary, the book is a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Frank, for taking the time to write the book. I sincerely hope that many, who in turn will have significant influence on the few that are able to bring about change, will read it.

Jonathan Snook
Toronto, Canada