North of the DMZ

August 1, 2007
Adult/High School-If anything is missing here, it's probably not worth knowing. The book is comprised of pieces published in the "Asia Times" and "Korea Times", two English-language newspapers published in Asia, and adapted and updated for this volume. The author, born and raised in Russia, studied in North Korea in the 1980s as part of a student exchange program; he has returned when possible, interviewed defectors and refugees, and closely followed developments and changes in the country over the last 20 years. He contrasts daily living and political conditions then with those of today, explaining how and why these changes have come about. The fall of the USSR in 1991 meant the end of Russian subsidies to North Korea; this triggered the partial collapse of the economy, which has given rise to the necessity of citizens finding ways to survive that don't involve the state. Thus, a market economy is growing but, unlike other failed Communist states, from the bottom up. Lankov's coverage runs from communications to cars, marriage to museums, class differences to clothing styles, and women's place to housing possibilities. Although this is not a political book, the author offers an informed opinion on the future of North Korea. Well written, comprehensive, and revelatory, this title will be valuable to students of history, international relations, culture, and Korea."Judy McAloon, Potomac Library, Prince William County, VA"

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