[.ca] Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North ... (ISBN 0312323220)

The definitive look at North Korea through Western eyes:
Wow, what a *long* read! The author casts a critical eye on the history of North Korea, from its roots in colonial Korea prior to WWII to its current status (up to 2004), and doesn't pull any punches. His primary sources include his own visits to North Korea (under various guises and pretexts, having been blacklisted by the regime in 1989), conversations with defectors, and Kim Il-Sung's own autobiographical writings. Once you've gone through the entire book (it took me a month - not an easy read due to the content), you will definitely feel as if you have a better handle on the current socio-historical situation in North Korea, and begin to understand some of the decisions coming out of Pyongyang. I have zero criticisms with the defector testimonies. Every historical scholar knows to take such testimonies with a grain of salt, but the amazing amount of evidence that the author lines up gives us an accurate picture of the situation in North Korea. I did feel that certain parts of the book were repetitive; this might have something to do with the defectors' stories being told in different places throughout the entire book, or it might have to do with the length of the book itself. If you want to get to know the entire history of North Korea or the Kims, this is your book.

Seed Grasped:
This is a fabulous read for anybody interested in this last bastion of hardcore Stalinsm. The author acknowledges that some of the ideas presented are based on conjecture (albeit well-formulated). One does not get bogged down in the numerous names of places and persons. The firsthand accounts from defectors are fascinating. Read this book and you will have a greater understanding of events as they unfold. Very enjoyable.