Book review: Kim Il Sung and the dictators that dance on bones



Opinion Book review: Kim Il Sung and the dictators that dance on bones In North Korea, only one version of history exists – a common theme in all authoritarian states, Katie Stallard writes David Tizzard May 2, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A portrait of DPRK founding leader Kim Il Sung affixed to a government building on central Pyongyang, Sept. 2008 \| Image: NK News (file) As a harbinger of things to come, Dancing on Bones: History and Power in China, Russia, and North Korea by Katie Stallard starts with one of Orwell’s most oft-repeated lines: “Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past.” Having read the book, one can’t help but think the more appropriate choice would have been, “If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face— forever.” For this is a book about the human suffering inflicted on innocent populations by 20th-century dictators, the reverberations still being felt in various degrees today. As a harbinger of things to come, Dancing on Bones: History and Power in China, Russia, and North Korea by Katie Stallard starts with one of Orwell’s most oft-repeated lines: “Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past.” Having read the book, one can’t help but think the more appropriate choice would have been, “If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face— forever.” For this is a book about the human suffering inflicted on innocent populations by 20th-century dictators, the reverberations still being felt in various degrees today. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Opinion

Book review: Kim Il Sung and the dictators that dance on bones

In North Korea, only one version of history exists – a common theme in all authoritarian states, Katie Stallard writes

David Tizzard May 2, 2022

Book review: Kim Il Sung and the dictators that dance on bones

A portrait of DPRK founding leader Kim Il Sung affixed to a government building on central Pyongyang, Sept. 2008 | Image: NK News (file)

As a harbinger of things to come, Dancing on Bones: History and Power in China, Russia, and North Korea by Katie Stallard starts with one of Orwell’s most oft-repeated lines: “Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past.” Having read the book, one can’t help but think the more appropriate choice would have been, “If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face— forever.”

For this is a book about the human suffering inflicted on innocent populations by 20th-century dictators, the reverberations still being felt in various degrees today.