Dear Leader

Poet, Spy, Escapee - A Look inside North Korea

By: Jang Jin-sung

Narrated by: Daniel York

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

In this rare insider's view into contemporary North Korea, a high-ranking counterintelligence agent describes his life as a former poet laureate to Kim Jong-il and his breathtaking escape to freedom.

"The General will now enter the room."

Everyone turns to stone. Not moving my head, I direct my eyes to a point halfway up the archway where Kim Jong-il’s face will soon appear.

As North Korea's State Poet Laureate, Jang Jin-sung led a charmed life. With food provisions (even as the country suffered through its great famine), a travel pass, access to strictly censored information, and audiences with Kim Jong-il himself, his life in Pyongyang seemed safe and secure. But this privileged existence was about to be shattered. When a strictly forbidden magazine he lent to a friend goes missing, Jang Jin-sung must flee for his life.

Never before has a member of the elite described the inner workings of this totalitarian state and its propaganda machine. An astonishing exposé told through the heart-stopping story of Jang Jin-sung's escape to South Korea, Dear Leader is a rare and unprecedented insight into the world’s most secretive and repressive regime.

©2014 Jang Jin-Sung. All rights reserved. (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Desperate Times All the Time

A read a few books about North Korea and I know a lot of Koreans. Wonderful commentary throughout the book about North Korea being a miserable place that drives desperation. But I buy this kind of book because it tells a story of people put in a bad situation and they make the best decisions they can. I don't know what I would do in a similar situation where I was forced to flee. But I know from this book that the first few things you try do not necessarily work out. This is a very inspirational story. I have to make special comments on the narration. Daniel York's strong diction and powerful narration made this a tale that I listened to with very few breaks. York's style led me to believe that he was interested in the story and wanted me to understand why. Storytelling at its best.

An amazing story that needs is very well told.

Tons of insight into the dark world of North Korea comes out in a story with more thrills and tragedy than Jason Bourne movie.

Great book very insightful

This book does an excellent job with teaching the political history of north Korea and blends seamlessly the personal life of the author with his responsibilities inside the DPRK. You can tell that the book is written in a very British style though which for me was a "meh" , but it was well read.

Incredible Insight Into Insanity

This book was a chilling insight into insanity on a national scale. What began as a communist revolution, backed by Russia and supported by China, morphed into an evil the likes of which the world has never seen. It is touching, frightening and informative. Much more than a sterile analysis of a nation gon wrong.

Excellent View into North Korea

Where does Dear Leader rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an excellent book. I was throughly entertained. I have always wondered how life is inside North Korea.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dear Leader?

I loved the escape across the River that separates China from North Korea.

What about Daniel York’s performance did you like?

Good performance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this book on my way back and forth to work.

Exposing the truth.

What made the experience of listening to Dear Leader the most enjoyable?

All the information revealed to me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dear Leader?

Jang meeting Kim for the first time.

Which character – as performed by Daniel York – was your favorite?

Jang and the other North Koreans.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Truth Exposed.

Any additional comments?

A great book about a mysterious government.

SUPERB!

Talk about suspense?!! I clenched my fists, held my breath, and agonised so much so that I just had to bookmark and skip to the last paragraph to see if they made it. I then went back to my bookmarked point and continued to clench my fists and forget to breathe. Daniel York does a fantastic job of narrating! His pronunciation of all those Asian names was impressive. I did stop to eat and sleep at night but other than that, I read this in one sitting. Superb!!!

Amazing story

This was a fascinating book in view of what we are seeing from North Korea at this time. The narration By Daniel York was very appealing. I'm considering sharing this book with my book club.

A Must Read For Anyone Who Lives In a Free Nation

Absolutely heart wrenching story and demonstrates that freedom should not be taken for granted. It should be a warning for those who would give up their freedom for the so-called Progressivism that is in reality just another brand of Socialism.

Simply Incredible

This is one of the most amazing stories I've ever heard. I was on the edge of my proverbial seat from the opening word. What a testament to the yearning to be free. Buy this book NOW and you will come away thankful for the blessing of freedom you enjoy.