It's convenient to blame. But great leaders all over the world cannot find a solution for North Korea. The fact that North Korea is still a problem needs a response other than blame. Is the renowned historian sure that what is happening is Bush's fault? Will not a dictator be a dictator regardless of the international pressures he faces? Will he not spurn the strong of earth and despise the weak panderers? Since he certainly will, is not Bush's truthful approach ("axis of evil") a better option for men of conscience?

I'm sure the book went over well in Pyongyang, and even sounds in places like those propagandistic diatribes one can find on Rodong Sinmun. In trying a little too hard to "understand" our enemy, and one can do that, has Cumings become a partner with the enemy?

From the jacket: "North Korea is a country Americans love to hate." But hatred of evil is a good thing. Many good men and eyewitnesses have documented the evil. Let us continue to call it what it is and to hate it.

He goes on, " [North Korea is usually] depicted as a secretive police state led by an ‘insane" dictator...' Depicted? Does he question the word "secretive"? Probably not. Is there a nation about which we know less?

Or is it "Police state" to which he objects? Do not the military and the police control the moves and even the thoughts of the Korean people? Has anyone found evidence to the contrary? Certainly not Cumings.

As for the term "insane," it is more than a truism that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Those in North Korea who have absolute power, seem to have had their thinking processes changed into something other than rational. Sane Koreans do not behave in this way. Sane Koreans do not allow people to starve if it is within their power to save them. Sane Koreans do not sponsor public executions that even children must attend. Sane Koreans do not punish people for being hungry and wanting to go somewhere to find food. You be the judge as to whether or not this behavior of Kim is "insanity". In my judgment it is.

Mr. Cumings has adopted the "denial" method of argument, whereby one states a fact , then simply denies it. When he cannot outrightly deny, he blames others for it, especially his President.

Needless to say, the book was a disappointment, and reminded me to stay as far as I can from politics in searching for answers for this nation. God's people must pray, then do what is in their power and God's strength to do. Getting caught up in merely human opinion and the strife that politicians engender because of their limited views, is fruitless.