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smokeyshouse's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
The most fascinating part of the memoir was toward the end, where Jenkins describes the negotiations between PM Koizumi and the North Korean government for the release of the abducted Japanese citizens, and subsequently the release of Jenkins and his daughters Mika and Brinda to go to Japan. I started the memoir with a prejudiced bias against Jenkins, but ended with a feeling of sympathy and compassion towards him.
tashspice's review against another edition
3.0
A quick easy read. Interesting if you like to hear about North Korea
thenthememoriesfade's review against another edition
3.0
It was an interesting memoir and different from the ones I have read about North Korea since it’s the story of an American soldier and not a native like it usually is. We have the point of view of someone who wasn’t born there.
theonlystefania's review
5.0
A conversational account of Jenkins's story as a US Army deserter, this book provides a glimpse into life in North Korea. Jenkins does a good job of explaining his crazy-to-others plan to desert. I would have liked to see Jenkins address the psychological effects of living in a closed society like North Korea and how someone can overcome that in their daily existence. Emotional and engrossing, I recommend it to anyone interested in North Korea, stories of survival, and the triumph of human spirit.
captainuxa's review
4.0
I am finding myself devouring everything I can about North Korea, and Jenkin's story is a fascinating alternate side of Dresnok's documentary about the same subject. Occasionally the story telling is a bit disjointed or is lacking in certain details, but it is a good and quick read.
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