The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot: A True Story About the Birth of Tyranny in North Korea Paperback – Illustrated, March 29, 2016

I'm mildly obsessed with the DPRK. There actually aren't a ton of books out there about Kim Il-Sung. This gave an interesting account of his history and thus that of NK that was not dry nor was it overly opinionated. The idea to parallel that history with that of "Kenneth Rowe" was a great idea and this was truly a unique read (even as far as DPRK books go). I was actually surprised at how much I liked this book. A lot of books on NK read the same and tread the same few facts.

North Korea is really a horrible and awful place for anyone that values say, human life and consciousness. I have read more than a few books, and this is certainly one of the better books about the Hermit Kingdom.The tack of this book is two stories, one about Kim, the founder of North Korea and No, the "moolah man" that delivered a Mig-15 to the West during the Korean War. But really this book is not about so much those events but the related history in between.I found the book so very compelling. Both stories are fascinating and worthwhile. I think the value is reaching an understanding of both the promise of America and why North Korea fears and uses America as an all-purpose bogeyman.Well worth reading.

Great history of North Korean communism and a great personal story. Informative

Terrific insight on the pilot and Kim il sung. One of the most revealing and insightful books on how Kim came into power. The Pilot also had an admiration for America that makes one feel as though we can be that beacon of light again someday. And Eisenhower's role in protecting the dignity of the USA was thought provoking. Just a wonderfully written book.

A simple explanation, somewhat lacking depth, of what was a growing young man's experience, and ultimately his very dangerous and traumatic decision to defect at the end of the Korean War. Several sections are devoted to Kim Il Sung, who nonetheless doesn't so much emerge, as he is captioned. Author has strong opinions on the mounting Stalinism of the early North Korean state. Only 70% of the book is text. The rest are extensive footnote links well integrated with the Kindle format. Any information on the Hermit kingdom is worth perusing. The book is an easy read.

The author did agood job of telling two stories in parallel, it worked very well. The personal story is interesting and you should like the character of the author. But the story of the Great Leader is rather superficial history if you are even somewhat familiar with 20th century Korean history. Not a lot new or very significant detail about the regime.

Good overview of the Korean war with newly declassified information that helps clarify Chinese and Soviet roles in the war. The pilot's experience adds the personal experience of the effects of the war on the individual level and adds a lot to the story.

Excellent read. The author made the story read like a novel which made it easy to follow. I especially enjoyed the "Korean War" perspective and first hand account of Russian and Chinese influence from a Northern Korean. Have read many books on North Korea that present a glimpse of Kim Il Sung, this author did an excellent job in providing further insights into this mysterious man.

Very well written

Fascinating biographies of two amazing men. Not only do we learn how Kim Il Sung rose to become the dictator of North Korea but we also see the impact of Sung's malevolent rule on a remarkably resilient citizen. AND, along the way, we learn a great deal about the intrigues, stupidities, and duplicities of both sides during the Korean War...

If you don't know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere.- Henry KissingerThe Great leader and the fighter pilot: The true story of the tyrant who created North Korea and the young lieutenant who stole his way to freedom is a good work of non-fiction, which tells us the story of two men and their different ideas of life.For more information you can visit -dontbignorant.in

Now I understand the North Korean distrust of the United States

Great insight on how North Korea came into being.