Reviews
Paul French writes with wit, eloquence, and rare clarity about the complicated history of North Korea., 'An admirably clear and calm survey of one of the hardest countries in the world to report on.' Jonathan Steele, The Guardian 'Highly readable ... a solid overview of the country's modern history and how it became a failed state ... admirably clear and refreshingly devoid of academic gobbledygook.' Wall Street Journal 'Fascinating ... highly readable.' Daily Telegraph 'Paul French writes with wit, eloquence and rare clarity about the complicated history of North Korea.' Barbara Demick, author of Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea 'If much reporting on North Korea is hysterical, even at times grotesquely comical, French has gone the other way ... [a book] written with a brisk confidence.' David Pilling, Financial Times 'North Korea's ability to worry and shock remains perhaps the only predictable aspect of the country's behaviour. Paul French's no-nonsense approach to understanding the country's history, political system, ideology and what remains of its decimated economy is one of the best introductions to a country that does all it can to resist outside inspection and comprehension. This is the most accessible starting point for anyone wanting to understand the hermit kingdom.' Kerry Brown, professor and director, China Studies Centre, University of Sydney 'This clear-eyed overview to North Korea's modern history is packed full of fascinating detail. French ably outlines the hermit kingdom's ideology, economic system and haphazard efforts at reform, while simultaneously revealing why pickpockets target Kim Il-sung badges, what the North Korean cabinet's position is on lice and why smoking can be a small act of resistance.' Louisa Lim, Beijing correspondent, NPR, 'An admirably clear and calm survey of one of the hardest countries in the world to report on.' Jonathan Steele, The Guardian 'Highly readable ... a solid overview of the country's modern history and how it became a failed state ... admirably clear and refreshingly devoid of academic gobbledygook.' Wall Street Journal 'Fascinating ... highly readable.' Daily Telegraph 'An excellent introduction to the history and politics of North Korea, including its complex relations with South Korea, Japan and the USA.' Hyeonseo Lee, North Korean defector 'Paul French writes with wit, eloquence and rare clarity about the complicated history of North Korea.' Barbara Demick, author of Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea 'If much reporting on North Korea is hysterical, even at times grotesquely comical, French has gone the other way ... [a book] written with a brisk confidence.' David Pilling, Financial Times 'North Korea's ability to worry and shock remains perhaps the only predictable aspect of the country's behaviour. Paul French's no-nonsense approach to understanding the country's history, political system, ideology and what remains of its decimated economy is one of the best introductions to a country that does all it can to resist outside inspection and comprehension. This is the most accessible starting point for anyone wanting to understand the hermit kingdom.' Kerry Brown, professor and director, China Studies Centre, University of Sydney 'This clear-eyed overview to North Korea's modern history is packed full of fascinating detail. French ably outlines the hermit kingdom's ideology, economic system and haphazard efforts at reform, while simultaneously revealing why pickpockets target Kim Il-sung badges, what the North Korean cabinet's position is on lice and why smoking can be a small act of resistance.' Louisa Lim, Beijing correspondent, NPR, It is refreshing to find an author who analyses North Korea's tumultuous history, regional context and difficult relations with its allies., 'An admirably clear and calm survey of one of the hardest countries in the world to report on.'Jonathan Steele, The Guardian'Highly readable ... a solid overview of the country's modern history and how it became a failed state ... admirably clear and refreshingly devoid of academic gobbledygook.'The Wall Street Journal'Fascinating ... highly readable.'The Daily Telegraph'Paul French writes with wit, eloquence and rare clarity about the complicated history of North Korea.'Barbara Demick, author of Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea'If much reporting on North Korea is hysterical, even at times grotesquely comical, French has gone the other way ... [a book] written with a brisk confidence.'David Pilling, Financial Times'North Korea's ability to worry and shock remains perhaps the only predictable aspect of the country's behaviour. Paul French's no-nonsense approach to understanding the country's history, political system, ideology and what remains of its decimated economy is one of the best introductions to a country that does all it can to resist outside inspection and comprehension. This is the most accessible starting point for anyone wanting to understand the hermit kingdom.'Kerry Brown, professor and director, China Studies Centre, University of Sydney'This clear-eyed overview to North Korea's modern history is packed full of fascinating detail. French ably outlines the hermit kingdom's ideology, economic system and haphazard efforts at reform, while simultaneously revealing why pickpockets target Kim Il-sung badges, what the North Korean cabinet's position is on lice and why smoking can be a small act of resistance.'Louisa Lim, Beijing correspondent, NPR, This clear-eyed overview to North Korea's modern history is packed full of fascinating detail. French ably outlines the hermit kingdom's ideology, economic system, and haphazard efforts at reform, while simultaneously revealing why pickpockets target Kim Il-sung badges, what the North Korean cabinet's position is on lice, and why smoking can be a small act of resistance., 'An admirably clear and calm survey of one of the hardest countries in the world to report on.'Jonathan Steele, The Guardian'Highly readable ... a solid overview of the country's modern history and how it became a failed state ... admirably clear and refreshingly devoid of academic gobbledygook.'Wall Street Journal'Fascinating ... highly readable.'Daily Telegraph'Paul French writes with wit, eloquence and rare clarity about the complicated history of North Korea.'Barbara Demick, author of Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea'If much reporting on North Korea is hysterical, even at times grotesquely comical, French has gone the other way ... [a book] written with a brisk confidence.'David Pilling, Financial Times'North Korea's ability to worry and shock remains perhaps the only predictable aspect of the country's behaviour. Paul French's no-nonsense approach to understanding the country's history, political system, ideology and what remains of its decimated economy is one of the best introductions to a country that does all it can to resist outside inspection and comprehension. This is the most accessible starting point for anyone wanting to understand the hermit kingdom.'Kerry Brown, professor and director, China Studies Centre, University of Sydney'This clear-eyed overview to North Korea's modern history is packed full of fascinating detail. French ably outlines the hermit kingdom's ideology, economic system and haphazard efforts at reform, while simultaneously revealing why pickpockets target Kim Il-sung badges, what the North Korean cabinet's position is on lice and why smoking can be a small act of resistance.'Louisa Lim, Beijing correspondent, NPR, North Korea's ability to worry and shock remains perhaps the only predictable aspect of the country's behavior. Paul French's no-nonsense approach to understanding the country's history, political system, ideology, and what remains of its decimated economy is one of the best introductions to a country that does all it can to resist outside inspection and comprehension. This is the most accessible starting point for anyone wanting to understand the hermit kingdom., Highly readable ... a solid overview of the country's modern history and how it became a failed state., Highly readable. . . . A solid overview of the country's modern history and how it became a failed state. . . . Admirably clear and refreshingly devoid of academic gobbledygook., If much reporting on North Korea is hysterical, French has gone the other way ... [a book] written with a brisk confidence., Paul French writes with wit, eloquence and rare clarity about the complicated history of North Korea., "It is refreshing to find an author who analyses North Korea's tumultuous history, regional context and difficult relations with its allies." -- South China Morning Post "This is the most accessible starting point for anyone wanting to understand the hermit kingdom." -- Kerry Brown, professor and director, China Studies Centre, University of Sydney "Fascinating ... highly readable." -- Daily Telegraph "If much reporting on North Korea is hysterical, French has gone the other way ... [a book] written with a brisk confidence." -- Financial Times "An admirably clear and calm survey of one of the hardest countries in the world to report on." -- The Guardian "Highly readable ... a solid overview of the country's modern history and how it became a failed state." -- Wall Street Journal "Paul French writes with wit, eloquence and rare clarity about the complicated history of North Korea." -- Barbara Demick, author of Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea "An excellent introduction to the history and politics of North Korea." -- Hyeonseo Lee, North Korean defector "This clear-eyed overview to North Korea's modern history is packed full of fascinating detail." -- Louisa Lim, Beijing correspondent, NPR, 'An admirably clear and calm survey of one of the hardest countries in the world to report on.' The Guardian 'Highly readable ... a solid overview of the country's modern history and how it became a failed state.' Wall Street Journal 'Fascinating ... highly readable.' Daily Telegraph 'An excellent introduction to the history and politics of North Korea.' Hyeonseo Lee, North Korean defector 'Paul French writes with wit, eloquence and rare clarity about the complicated history of North Korea.' Barbara Demick, author of Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea 'If much reporting on North Korea is hysterical, French has gone the other way ... [a book] written with a brisk confidence.' Financial Times 'This is the most accessible starting point for anyone wanting to understand the hermit kingdom.' Kerry Brown, professor and director, China Studies Centre, University of Sydney 'This clear-eyed overview to North Korea's modern history is packed full of fascinating detail.' Louisa Lim, Beijing correspondent, NPR
