North Korea: State of Paranoia: A Modern History (Asian Arguments) - Hardcover

French, Paul

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1780329482 ISBN 13: 9781780329482

Publisher: Zed Books, 2014

Synopsis

North Korea is a country that continues to make headlines - arousing curiosity and fear in equal measure. The world's most secretive nuclear power, it is a nation that still has Gulag-style prison camps, no internet and bans its people from talking to foreigners without official approval. In this remarkable and eye-opening book, internationally bestselling author Paul French examines in forensic detail the history and politics of North Korea, Pyongyang's complex relations with South Korea, Japan, China and America, and the implications of Kim Jong-un's increasingly belligerent leadership following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.

As an already unstable North Korea grows ever more unpredictable, antagonising enemies and allies alike, State of Paranoia delivers a provocative and frightening account of a potentially explosive nuclear tripwire.

About this title

About the Author

Born in London and educated there and in Glasgow, Paul French has lived and worked in Shanghai for many years. As a leading expert on North Korea he is a widely published analyst and commentator on Asia and has written a number of books dealing with China's pre-1949 history, Asian politics and current affairs. His previous books include a history of North Korea, a biography of Shanghai adman and adventurer Carl Crow, and a history of foreign correspondents in China.

Paul was awarded the 2013 Edgar for best fact crime for his international best seller Midnight in Peking.

Review

"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
 
"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, Australia

About this edition

• Publisher: Zed Books
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1780329482
• ISBN 13: 9781780329482
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 480