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.

Great narrator brought book to life

Listened over the 4th of,July. So grateful for the freedoms we enjoy . Like other reviewers have mentioned, puts your daily problems in perspective .

Escape From Communist Hell

This is communism America. Jang Jin-sung's escape from the totalitarian state of North Korea is riveting, unbelievable, and heartbreaking. It reads like a spy thriller. He former "poet" laureate for Kim Jong-il, he lives better than 99 percent of North Koreans. But he encounters a forbidden magazine and is forced to flee with his friend. And it's nonstop action after that. The evils of the North Korean regime defy description, and the thirst for breaking away from the chains is palpable. And the heartache is hard for fathom. Daniel York's narration is riveting.

Loved it.

Great with words. Love the way he writes! I had no trouble picturing every aspect, I never felt like I didn't know what was going on. I just love it. One thing I liked about this one was it was a little different from a lot of the others I've personally read because he's not from a poverty-stricken area and had a ton of information via his job already about the Kims. There really is too many good things to say about this book. I'd recommend it.

Mystery

This novel was written with all the humility and respect to all of the persons concerned, and also it had the constant tension of a mystery novel. I enjoyed it very much. I couldn’t put it down once I started.

You cant get away from Orwell's "1984".

If you could sum up Dear Leader in three words, what would they be?

Thats easy!! A plagiarist of George Orwell, a pedophile, and a narcissistic sociopath. I am not overstating when I say this book could change your life. Your own problems will simply disappear into an embarrassing haze of utter meaningless. Forget North Korea's violations concerning nuclear proliferation, this government has inflicted genocide using starvation against its people, and should lose their sovereignty. The suffering of the Korean people most notably the execution of the soul is a repeat of man's worst history. Never has a such a high ranking official from North Korea defected and lived to tell about the horror left behind. There is actually a "Room 101" used for practically the same atrocities as in Orwell's 1984. Speechless and heartbroken, there is nothing else to say. A must read!!!

Unbelieveable!

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

The combination of an exciting personal narrative with shocking expose about what goes on in North Korea as recently as 10 years ago blew me away. I loved this book.

EXCELLENT LISTEN!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Dear Leader to be better than the print version?

I have never read the print edition. Cannot comment.

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

There was no single memorable moment, but instead were many. All of which created an engrossing listening experience not always found in non-fiction.

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

I think it is important to remember that this is a biography/non-fiction, so these are not "characters in a novel" these are/were actual people. The author - Jang Jin-sung - was the most important. The narrator did a great job bringing to life all the voices the author remembered/put into his work.

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

This was a book that I couldn't stop listening to, every chance I got I was listening.

Any additional comments?

This was an excellent listening experience. The author (and narrator) created an immersive experience not often enough found in non-fiction with a drama and storytelling skill more commonly found in A-List fiction. Which makes everything more intense when one remembers that you are listening to an account of the tragedies and triumphs of something that actually happened to real people.

Outstanding

I'm an incredibly picky audible rater, but out of my 200+ books I have in my library, THIS book is in my top 5! seriously, its really really good.

Not sure if its 100% true or its totally fiction and at times I felt strongly for both. In the end though its still great 👍

Narration is top notch and I found the narrators voice relaxing.

LISTEN TO THIS BOOK,

Sobering. Well-written and an amazing story. This book should be mandatory reading in the U.S. State Department, the White House, the U.S. Congress, the Department of Defense, and in college courses across the country.

Very engaging

I was riveted. This is a must-listen for all people in the West to understand the inner workings of North Korea. I'm so glad this book was translated and made available to English-speakers everywhere.
It also reminds us that we should value the freedoms we so often take for granted.