Understanding North Korea: Demystifying the World's Most Misunderstood Country [Kindle Edition]

Joshua Spodek (Author)

Book Description

The death of Kim Jong Il has reignited popular intrigue for North Korea, justifiably so.

Few understand this isolated and authoritarian country despite its paramount global importance – the site of a major war, a nuclear power hosting the world's fourth largest military and most militarized border. An estimated ten percent of its population died in famines while its leaders indulged. Despite including it in his “axis of evil,” even George W. Bush didn't hint at invading.

How can we understand this mysterious country, its leaders, and its people?

Almost no book, article, or other media makes sense of North Korea or presents it simply, without sensationalism or polarization.

This brief book does.

Product Details

• File Size: 515 KB
• Print Length: 86 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Joshua Spodek; 1 edition (December 23, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006PMDXTM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,656 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #44 in Books > History > Asia > Korea > North

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Few if any new ideas November 16, 2012

By Charlie

Amazon Verified Purchase

The author billed this as a fresh and insightful look into North Korea but the main idea seems to be that North Korea and its leaders act based on internal self preservation. Rather than a new idea this is an insight that any university International Relations major gets within the first 5 minutes of their first class on North East Asia. This "book" (its quite short for the price) contained nothing new and nothing especially insightful and while I do not necessarily disagree with the authors analysis I would recommend that potential buyers look to more well developed and researched books on North Korea.

The book is also poorly written with the first third essentially promoting how good the ideas in the rest of the book will be. I got very tired of the author telling me how good his ideas would be when I get to them. If you're interested in North Korea I'd highly suggest trying "The Aquariums of Pyongyang: Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag", "Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea" and even "Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty" and "North of the DMZ: Essays on Daily Life in North Korea" first.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Intensely useful and insightful January 4, 2012

By Gravitas

It's not surprising that the most illuminating read on N. Korea doesn't come from a politician or social scientist - it comes from a PhD physicist with an MBA.

Author Spodek visited North Korea and did first-hand research, breaking down their economic and political situation, and what must be done to change things.

A fascinating and insightful read. Recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will really get you thinking! April 12, 2012

By Mark Fahey

Amazon Verified Purchase

It's natural to assume that North Korea is insane and illogical in its actions. It's also easy to think of the citizens of North Korea as simple drones of the state. Surely there can be no reasoning to explain the actions of the leadership of the hermit kingdom?

This book presents that there is in fact a method to the 'madness' and the western world assuming "insanity" is exactly what the North Korean leadership intend for us to believe. The author also presents what he describes as a "toy proposal" to allow for the opening-up of the nation. A very though provoking read that may totally change how you interpret the country.