In January of 1965, twenty-four-year-old U.S. Army sergeant Charles Robert Jenkins abandoned his post in South Korea, walked across the DMZ, and surrendered to communist North Korean soldiers standing sentry along the world's most heavily militarized border. He believed his action would get him back to the States and a short jail sentence. Instead he found himself in another sort of prison, where for forty years he suffered under one of the most brutal and repressive regimes the world has known. This fast-paced, harrowing tale, told plainly and simply by Jenkins (with journalist Jim Frederick), takes the reader behind the North Korean curtain and reveals the inner workings of its isolated society while offering a powerful testament to the human spirit.
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"Charles Jenkins' memoir is a genuinely unique account of the only American ever to live in North Korea for most of his life and return to write about it. Part biography, part eyewitness testimony, part apology, this book takes Mr. Jenkins from a childhood in the segregated South to a U.S. Army ruling the roost in South Korea in the 1950s, to a North Korea that saw him as a real-life Martian, but a valuable one for use in Cold War propaganda." - Bruce Cummings, Chairman of the History Department at the University of Chicago "Robert Jenkins is a modern-day Robinson Crusoe, isolated from the outside world, and relying on his wits to survive in a nightmarish parody of a nation where nothing is as it seems. Living in constant fear and violence, set within the bizarre and Orwellian surroundings of North Korea during the late 20th century, Jenkins's account is like no other I've ever read." - Jasper Becker, author of Rogue Regime: The Continuing Threat of North Korea"
About the Author
Charles Robert Jenkins is a former United States Army soldier who lived in North Korea from 1965 to 2004. He now lives in Japan. Jim Frederick was Time magazine's Tokyo bureau chief from 2002 to 2006 and is now a Time senior editor stationed in London.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Simon Archer
Format:Hardcover
Having visited North Korea on a number of occasions I was fascinated to hear about the exploits of Robert Charles Jenkins and Joseph Dresnok. Comrade Joe is still in Pyongyang to this day. Reading about his forty years of living as a Korean is a fascinating insight into the life of those who have never had a choice of where they lived or could possibly understand how free the rest of the world really are. This a must read book for anyone contemplating a visit to DPRK or anyone who has the slightest of interest in the hermit country.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By basicallydan
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great account of the bizarre and twisted world of the DPRK. It demonstrates an evolution of the country over many years, as well as a unique insight into what it's like being a foreigner there - and how differently you get treated.
Some reviewers say there's nothing new here - maybe not, but if you're new to the subject of one of the world's most enigmatic nations, this is a great starting point.
The writing style is not dramatic, and the author does not add any flair to the story - it's not necessary. The content alone makes up for the lack of flair, and it's easy to imagine an ageing American man telling the story to you.
Some reviewers say there's nothing new here - maybe not, but if you're new to the subject of one of the world's most enigmatic nations, this is a great starting point.
The writing style is not dramatic, and the author does not add any flair to the story - it's not necessary. The content alone makes up for the lack of flair, and it's easy to imagine an ageing American man telling the story to you.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Andrea
Format:Hardcover
This book offers a very interesting insight in the 'normal' DPRK life, from foreigners eyes. Obviously in a special position, the author still provides information that you will not find in other books.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truly interesting read
I really enjoyed reading this book, it gives such a fascinating insight into what is the unique story of Charles Jenkins. A must read for people who are interested in North Korea.
Published 25 days ago by Wilbert
3.0 out of 5 stars
A unique perspective but no new insights
Anyone looking to discover something new about the DPRK won't find anything here. This is essentially a chronological report on the authors defection through to his eventual... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Rufus
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