A very moving account of life in North Korea - a vastly different lifestyle, government, and so far different from average 21st century American life it will astound and humble most readers. Our lives are blessed, and this book reveals exactly how much that is true...

This book follows 6 people from their early life in North Korea until 2005 when they escaped. From the 1940\'s, through the famine of the 90\'s with no electricity until now, these people show nothing but idolatry for their leader, but is it always as real as it seems? This is a very interesting book, I read it in three days. Can\'t wait for the discussion.

This is a gripping story of life in North Korea, seen through the eyes of six defectors who left in the 1990's when there was a huge famine in that country. It is upsetting and unbelievable at times. And maybe what is most upsetting is the lack of knowledge about the atrocities going in North Korea to this day. I can't wait to talk about this in my book club!

We who do not live in such a repressive regime-controlled country as North Korea truly have Nothing to Envy and Everything to Appreciate.
Demick awakens us through her deft weaving of individual defectors' stories to the horrific reality of their North Korean bare existence. She educates us about North Korean history, culture, and politics without ever making us want to put the book down (or remove the headphones, in my case, since I listened to the book)!
This true story is important; everyone needs to know about it!

I didn't know how miserable life is in N. Korea. Even in present day, the people of their entire contry are oppressed by their government. This book is a good read and it's written as a story to see and feel the emotions of the people's lives. I now find myself more engaged in current events surrounding the actions of N Korean. I highly recommend this book.

This book is one of the reasons I am part of my book club. I would never read it had it not been on our list. It was well worth the read. Although I knew North Korea was bad, I had no idea how bad. It is really important to read books like this for a more in-depth look at a situation than we get from the evening news. I highly recommend this book if you want to be informed and have a fantastic discussion.

What a dramatic depiction of life in an oppressed country. Should be reading material in high schools everywhere!

Slow at first, then picked up as characters and circumstances were developed

Barbara Demick has written a thorough engrossing account of life in North Korea, one of the world’s most isolated countries. By following the daily lives of ordinary people, she demonstrates the seemingly limitless power of the government over its citizens. Yet, as the reader will learn, the human spirit doesn’t give up without a fight. I highly recommend this book.

The author does an amazing job following the lives of several families living in North Korea. The book reveals how North Korean manages its people via controlled information. It was a very revealing story on a place that little is known about (until recently). Very startling book ... which also touches on former North Koreans adjusting to modern times and a life of lies.

Everyone in the book club really liked this book. Comments like \\\" I was overwhelmed by their stories\\\" \\\" My eyes were really opened to how difficult it was to survive in North Korea\\\" \\\" I still can not understand why anyone would ever want to go back \\\" This book was so very informative and interesting. Our book club highly recommends it.