"This book provides a concise, deeply knowledgeable introduction to North Korea. The authors trace the country's history from its founding in 1948 and consider its current political, economic, social, and cultural life and the continued stranglehold of the Kim family"-- Provided by publisher.

Preface -- 1. Geography and History: A Troubled Land : Physical Geography: A Land of Great Potential -- Cities: Few and Far Between -- Korean History: A Shrimp among Whales -- The North Korean State: Communism and Kim Come to Korea -- The Korean War: A Disastrous Attempt to Unify the Country -- 2. Leadership: The Kim Dynasty : Kim Il-sung: The Strong Kim -- Kim Jong-il: The Secretive Kim -- Kim Jong-un: The Young and Ruthless Kim -- Guidance: An Exercise in Public Relations -- Mansions: Living Like Kings -- 3. The Government: Of the Party, by the Party, for the Leader : Governance: Riddled with Corruption -- Social Control: Dominating the People -- Crimes: Ordinary and Political -- Prisons: Cruel and Usual -- Corruption: The Currency of the Realm -- Lies: Second Nature to the Regime -- 4. Human Rights: An Alien Concept : Political Class: Loyalty to the Regime -- Defectors: An Exit for People without Voice -- Human Rights Reputation: An International Disgrace -- 5. The Military: "Pillar" of Society : Weapons and Strategy: A Porcupine Defense -- Soldiers: Wartime Cannon Fodder, Peacetime Slave Labor -- Nuclear Weapons: The Pride of the Regime -- Missiles: Power Projection -- Threats as a Weapon: The First Line of Defense -- 6. Foreign Relations: Of a Hermit Kingdom : Foreign Policy Principles: Independence First and Last -- North Korea and South Korea: Deadly Competition -- North Korea and China: Beware of the Dragon -- North Korea and Japan: Age-Old Enmity -- Japan's Chosen Soren: A Fifth Column in Enemy Territory -- North Korea and the United States: The Ultimate Enemy -- Tourism: Cautious and Controlled -- 7. The Economy: From Socialism to Capitalism : The Old Economy: Socialist in Principle -- The New Economy: Capitalist in Practice -- Industry: A National Rust Belt -- Farming: Planting Seeds on Rocky Ground -- The Local Economy: Taking up the Slack -- International Trade: Not Easy for a Hermit Kingdom -- Foreign Investment Inflow: Risky for Investors -- Working Abroad: Hard Work for the Privileged Few -- International Sanctions: The Price of Nuclear Weapons -- 8. Transportation and Communication: Necessary for the New Economy : Domestic Transportation: Slowed by Years of Neglect -- Old Communication Channels: Government to People -- New Communication Channels: People to People -- 9. Culture and Lifestyle: Trying to Live a Normal Life : Education: Ideological and Academic -- Food: Living on the Edge -- Housing: Substandard and in Short Supply -- Health and Healthcare: Victims of the Bad Economy -- Religion: Totally Banned -- Sports and Amusements: Simple Pleasures for the People -- Life Events: The Same the World Over -- 10. Conclusion.