1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting read, but obviously opinionated, July 26, 2005
This review is from: North Korea/South Korea: U.S. Policy at a Time of Crisis (Open Media Books) (Paperback)
Feffer gives an historical account of Korea and tires to show how much the US played a part in its history. It goes up through the dissolution of the agreed framework and attempts to explain Bush Sr., Clinton and Bush Jr's administration policies. Feffer does a reasonable job but constantly offers very opinionated views against the Bush administration that aren't very well thought out. I found the book interesting and informative and enjoyed reading it but my mind wouldn't allow me to believe everything he said because of the obvious agenda to discredit the current administration. The author does show that the North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il's isn't completely crazy and that there may be a small amount of logic to his leadership. Understanding DPRK's history gave me a more understanding view of their desperate situation of trying to survive in a world that has completely changed since the beginning of their State.
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5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Very Biased View of the Situation, December 1, 2007
This review is from: North Korea/South Korea: U.S. Policy at a Time of Crisis (Open Media Books) (Paperback)
While the book has some interesting facts, it is very biased. The author, John Feffer, seems to be very pro-North Korea and anti-American. Which then brings into doubt the validity of the few "interesting facts" that he provides...
The USA is not 100% fault free in it's dealings with North Korea, but the scope of this work is OBVIOUSLY one-sided.
Also, not all of the authors facts are correct, as when he says that the UN does not recognize the North Korean refugees entering China to be "political refugees"...page 163 "...not considered refugees by the United Nations..."
But there are many articles that state the TRUE position of the United Nations, one is listed below:
Asia Times, "The tortuous North Korean refugee triangle" dated 22 Sept 2004 says..."Beijing is concerned that any actions it takes to assist the fleeing North Koreans, such as establishing refugee camps or providing formal UN designation as "political refugees", would provoke a torrent of additional refugees, offend its North Korean ally, and perhaps undermine the stability of the Pyongyang regime."
He even accuses the USA for being the cause of North Korea's illegal activities such as drug trafficking, counterfeiting and trafficking in women.
You will love this book if...
1) You hate G.W. Bush
2) You think North Korea is a country only trying to do good and get along with others, but the USA is "keeping them down"
The book is good if you want to see "other people's view points" and hear "their side" of the story, but if you want JUST facts without someone's biased opinions, try a different book.
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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book on North/South Korea-US Relations, March 11, 2004
This review is from: North Korea/South Korea: U.S. Policy at a Time of Crisis (Open Media Books) (Paperback)
I enjoyed this book very much. It covers a wide variety of issues concerning U.S.-North Korea-South Korea relations. North Korea is a country we as Americans know so little about. This is a great introductory book to the U.S. policies towards North Korea and why even the U.S. Government's ally, South Korea doesn't agree with their policies. A definite must-read for anyone interested in International Affairs.
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