Escape From Camp 14

Escape From Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey From North Korea to Freedom in the West
by Blaine Harden [Biography Shin]

Escape from Camp 14 is a biography about North Korean prison camp survivor Shin Dong-hyuk's life in the Kaechon internment camp (camp 14), a "total control zone". Coming in at a mere 224 pages, Shin's story is a page turning quick read, which is quite short, considering the breadth of the content. Journalist Blaine Harden lends his voice to Shin's personal biography and uses it to simultaneously provide an introductory and contemporary view into North Korean politics, history and its future. Dong-hyuk Shin is an unfortunate North Korean born into a work camp where his life revolves around slave like daily routine. Shin's story is unique in that he is the first known escapee from such a work camp. The scope of Shin's story is heart wrenching. His childhood consists of hard manual labor, isolation, starvation, brutal punishments, lack of family and social bonds. Shin's education is rudimentary at best and mostly entails learning camp rules and hierarchy. Throughout the story Harden weaves context into Shin's story by providing facts and figures associated with various outside events occurring during the time of Shin's story. These political events influence the happenings inside the camp at times, explain newly introduced prisoners and finally his escape. In the end of this heart breaking read, Shin's story ends on a high note in which he translates his experiences into a passion for human rights activism. There are few stories that touch so deeply and personally on the human condition of North Koreans and what it is to survive in a difficult country nonetheless a prison camp within. This biography is the perfect introduction to North Korean extremes through a personal narrative story. Those wishing to delve deeper into the issues may find it too light, but can still appreciate the fascinating account of Shin Dong-hyuk's life. Ultimately Escape from Camp 14 is a captivating biography which will ask you what it means to be human and survive. [If you like this, you may also enjoy Nothing to envy : ordinary lives in North Korea. 915.19 Dem, Somewhere inside : one sister's captivity in North Korea and the other's fight to bring her home /Biography Ling, Laura, The world is bigger now : an American journalist's rescue from captivity in North Korea-- a remarkable story of faith, family, and forgiveness/ Biography Lee, Euna, Inside North Korea. DVD 915.193 Nat, The aquariums of Pyongyang : ten years in a North Korean gulag 365.45 Kan, Kim Jong-il : North Korea's Dear Leader. 951.93 Bre] -- recommended by Glory B. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in downloadable audio format.]

[ Wikipedia page for Sin Dong-hyuk ]

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