Escape from Camp 14

One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West

By: Blaine Harden

Narrated by: Blaine Harden

A New York Times bestseller, the shocking story of one of the few people born in a North Korean political prison to have escaped and survived. Blaine Harden's latest book, King of Spies, will be available from Viking in Fall 2017.

North Korea is isolated and hungry, bankrupt and belligerent. It is also armed with nuclear weapons. Between 150,000 and 200,000 people are being held in its political prison camps, which have existed twice as long as Stalin's Soviet gulags and twelve times as long as the Nazi concentration camps. Very few born and raised in these camps have escaped. But Shin Donghyuk did.

In Escape from Camp 14, acclaimed journalist Blaine Harden tells the story of Shin Dong-hyuk and through the lens of Shin's life unlocks the secrets of the world's most repressive totalitarian state. Shin knew nothing of civilized existence-he saw his mother as a competitor for food, guards raised him to be a snitch, and he witnessed the execution of his own family. Through Harden's harrowing narrative of Shin's life and remarkable escape, he offers an unequaled inside account of one of the world's darkest nations and a riveting tale of endurance, courage, and survival.

Sad to think this is reality

Interesting yet sad view into life in North Korea labor camps. Horrific lives for these people. They’re treated worse than animals and yet it continues

Incredible story

Hooked from the start. Couldn’t get enough. Also loved how history was N Korea was weaved in

Great book about the struggle of a man’s life in North Korea

Loved how the book talked about systematic oppression in North Korea and the struggle of a man’s survival under extremely harsh conditions.

Moving story

I thought it sad to see how challenging it is for North Koreans to adapt to life outside their country and prison.

A harrowing tale of escaping the clutches of one of the most brutal political prisons in the modern world.

A 10/10 story - would recommend to anyone interested in literature regarding the Hermit kingdom.