One of the saddest truths about history is that often great misfortune can trigger historical shifts that are seen as positive in the long run.
That is the argument at the heart of an informative yet entertaining new book, North Korea Confidential: Private Markets, Fashion Trends, Prison Camps, Dissenters and Defectors by journalists Daniel Tudor and James Pearson. The book lays out what the authors know about North Korea today—the politics, culture, commerce, and changes. For most readers, this hermit kingdom is shrouded in myth and misinformation—remember the false story of Kim Jong Un's uncle Jang Song-thaek being eaten by dogs? The book is exactly what one would want from people who know a few of the country’s secrets—it reads like a CIA fact sheet mixed with juicy anecdotes—and the authors have reassured readers that everything in it has been verified by three sources.
Read Full Article »