Review:The book covers the events of 1971 beginning from the general elections of 1970 until the end of war in December 1971. The Awami League led by Sheikh Mujib won the elections with majority representation at the parliament, but however was unable to become the Prime Minister as Bhutto denied to accept any negotiation mediated by Yahya Khan, despite losing the elections. This led the Bengalis towards an uncertain future for them.
The book is exceptionally significant as it brought about evidence... Read more

Review:I enjoyed the read. This rare glimpse is very limited but it's also the point. N. Korean PUST students; the elite of the elite even are unaware of the outside which is a constant theme in this book. The country is so isolated and orchestrated that it's almost amazing that people swallow the (at times literal) bulls*** they are fed. It does have some hope although not much.

Recommended read. Read more

Review:Imagine the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of people displaced and in danger. Families separated and unsure where to go or what to do. A government in chaos, unable (at least initially) to be of any assistance. Then imagine that this chaos had lasted an ENTIRE decade. That some of these families were so poor and so desperate to keep their children safe, that they sold just about every possession they owned in order to PAY to try and keep their children from being conscripted into a re... Read more

Review:Have never thought about life in North Korea . This story amazed and shocked me. The oppression and cruel lack of any freedom in this country is appalling. Brave and finally successful search for freedom. Read more

Review:For anyone interested in North Korea, this is the book for you. The book starts by chronicling the history of modern day North Korea and the rise to power of Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il. The second section of the book contains numerous interviews conducted by the author with North Korean defectors. From lowly workers at the bottom of society to the high officials in the North Korean system, this book paints a clear picture inside this elusive regime. The book culminates in a section rega... Read more

Review:I had 8 hours drive from Cincinnati to Cleveland and back. Listened to this book along the way. Thoroughly entertaining, engaging and amusing. I am not saying I laughed my ass off but i was certainly smiling all along the way Read more

Review:This is well written, poignant memoir that would be a fabulous choice for a book club. The time spent reading is small and you can fly through the book because it is so interesting. It would inspire great discussions and bring a clarifying insight to life in North Korea. Read more

Review:I would recommend this book for everyone to read. I could not put it down and read it in 2 days. It's hard to believe what Ms. Park and her family went through. The concept of trying to escape North Korea because of immense hardships and no food is too much at times when reading. She is a area! Inspiration and this book let's us know what is really going on over there. Read more

Review:A hefty book, but definitely a good read. There is a DVD by the same title that goes through the author's search for his information for the book. Very interesting as well, but more a "behind the scenes" look at the making of the book. Read more

Review:I think that the author, Gavin Menzies makes an excellent case that renaissance Italy was at least inspired by Chinese civilization and invention.

The author is very well read and the book contained a wealth of knowledge that one cannot find elsewhere. He is well versed with astronomical arguments, though not active in that field. For instance, how many people tell us that, a century before Copernicus, Regiomontanus (von Konisgsburg), a great thinker and polymath, found that the inner pla... Read more