When Kim Jong Un became the leader of North Korea following his father's death in 2011, predictions about his imminent fall were rife. North Korea was isolated, poor, unable to feed its people, and clinging to its nuclear program for legitimacy. But he has solidified his grip on his country and brought the U.S. and the region to the brink of war. Pak, a former CIA analyst, provides a groundbreaking account of the rise of North Korea's dictator from his nuclear ambitions to his summits with President Donald J. Trump. She argues that Kim's personality, perceptions, and preferences are underestimated by Washington policy wonks who assume he sees the world as they do. -- adapted from jacket.

Prologue -- From ten-foot-tall baby to international statesman -- Guerrillas and gods -- The inheritance -- The son rising -- The education of Kim Jong Un -- Bigger, badder, bolder -- A twenty-first-century dictatorship -- Pruning the family tree -- Kim's hackers -- Murder in Malaysia -- Testing Trump -- Testing Kim -- The metamorphosis -- The Queen of Pyongyang -- When Trump met Kim -- Conclusion: The metastatis.