Best North Korean History Books of 2025

In Order to Live is a powerful memoir that sheds light on the hardships of life in North Korea. Yeonmi Park's story of perseverance and determination is both heartbreaking and inspiring. She not only shares the horrific experiences she and her mother endured while escaping to South Korea, but also her ongoing efforts as a human rights activist to bring attention to the oppression in her home country. This memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking to better understand the realities of life in North Korea and the resilience of the human spirit.

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick is a powerful and eye-opening account of life in one of the world's most repressive regimes. The book follows the lives of six North Korean citizens over fifteen years, providing a deep insight into the country's totalitarianism, the devastating famine that killed one-fifth of the population, and the disillusionment of its people with the government. The author's meticulous and sensitive reporting brings to life the struggles, ambitions, and emotions of her subjects. This book is an excellent read that humanizes the long-suffering people of North Korea and provides a unique perspective on their lives and hopes.

The Hard Road Out: One Woman’s Escape From North Korea is a gripping memoir that tells the story of Jihyun Park, who escaped famine and terror in North Korea twice. Through her resolute and clear-eyed storytelling, Park reveals a Korea that is far removed from the talk of nuclear weapons and economic sanctions. The book is beautifully written with South Korean compatriot Seh-lynn Chai, offering a stark lesson in determination and the importance of asylum. Overall, this memoir is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths people will go to escape oppression.

Escape from Camp 14 is a heart-wrenching account of Shin Dong-hyuk, the only known person born inside a North Korean prison camp to have escaped. Blaine Harden uncovers the secrets of the world’s most repressive totalitarian state through Shin’s shocking imprisonment and his astounding getaway. The book offers a unique inside account of one of the world’s darkest nations, exposing a hidden dystopia and focusing on an extraordinary young man who came of age inside the highest security prison in the highest security state. In summary, Escape from Camp 14 is a gripping story that unsparingly tells the tale of human darkness in the ghastliest corner of the world’s cruelest dictatorship.

The Last Stand of Fox Company by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin is a gripping account of the heroic efforts of Captain William Barber and his 246 Marines in defending Fox Hill during the Korean War. The book details the four days and five nights of relentless Chinese attacks on the undermanned unit of the First Marines. The authors have crafted a fast-paced narrative filled with personal accounts of bravery and sacrifice, giving readers a glimpse into the legendary tenacity of the Marine Corps. The Last Stand of Fox Company is a must-read for those interested in military history and the Korean War.

Flowers of Fire by Hawon Jung is a compelling debut that offers an eye-opening firsthand account of the ongoing feminist movement in South Korea. The book takes the reader into the trenches of this fight for equality, following along as South Korean activists march on the streets, navigate public and private spaces where spycam porn crimes are rampant, and share tips and tricks with each other. Jung's reporting and interviews with many women who became activists and leaders show the world that these women are no delicate flowers—they are trailblazing flames. Flowers of Fire is a must-read for anyone interested in women's rights and the ongoing fight for equality.

Korea: A History by Eugene Y. Park is a comprehensive overview of Korean history, from antiquity to the present. It provides an insightful account of pre-modern Korea and expands discussions on modernization, daily life, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ history, and North Korean history. The book is recommended for both general readers interested in an introduction to Korean history and specialists who want to update their knowledge. The author's broad expertise and recent discoveries of Korean history add credibility to the book. Overall, Korea: A History is a well-written and innovative interpretation that successfully makes the Korean narrative relevant to comparative world history.

The Lazarus Heist: From Hollywood to High Finance: Inside North Korea's Global Cyber War is a shocking investigation into the Lazarus Group, a shadowy cabal of hackers who are accused of working on behalf of the North Korean state. Journalist Geoff White's thorough investigation reads as part detective story, part thriller, but scary since it is all true. He exposes North Korea as a pariah state where ruthless dictatorship joins forces with international cybercrime. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the threats currently facing us globally.

The Rebel and the Kingdom by Bradley Hope is a thrilling account of Adrian Hong, a Yale undergraduate who becomes a self-taught operative on a dangerous mission to subvert the North Korean regime. Hong's secret organization, Cheollima Civil Defense, tracks the activities of the North Korean government and plans for a government-in-exile. The book culminates in a high-stakes direct action, including an armed raid at the North Korean embassy in Madrid. Hope's account is deeply reported and novelistic, making for a propulsive read. Overall, The Rebel and the Kingdom is a unique and exhilarating account of a man who lives boldly by his principles.

Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap? by Graham Allison is a thought-provoking book that sheds light on the impending war between China and the United States. Allison explains Thucydides's Trap, a pattern of structural stress that occurs when a rising power challenges a ruling one. The book offers historical parallels and war scenarios that show how close we are to a catastrophic war. However, Allison also reveals how the clashing powers have kept the peace in the past and highlights the steps the United States and China must take to avoid disaster today. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding U.S.-China relations in the twenty-first century.