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Jenkins - The Reluctant Communist

 
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Captain Corea



Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:11 am    Post subject: Jenkins - The Reluctant Communist Reply with quote
Hey all, I just finished reading this book and thought I'd post up here about it.

I'm pretty sure you all are familiar with the story of Charles Robert Jenkins - the man who walked accross the DMZ 40 some odd years ago. Well his book just came out in English and if you're a fan of odd-ball stories of the North, this one just might be for you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Robert_Jenkins



It's about 22,000won at Whatthebook, but worth it for me. Not a whole lot different than what he's already said in numerous interviews, just a little more in depth.

Anyone else read it yet?
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kiwiduncan



Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
All the Wikipedia stuff about him is pretty interesting. Surprising to read that he got fired from his English teaching job due to his accent.
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that guy



Joined: 29 Feb 2004
Location: long gone
PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Haven't had read it yet but plan to soon.

Have you seen "Crossing the Line"? Dresnok paints a rather poor picture of Jenkins.
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Captain Corea



Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
that guy wrote:
Haven't had read it yet but plan to soon.

Have you seen "Crossing the Line"? Dresnok paints a rather poor picture of Jenkins.


Yes actually, I did - and enjoyed it too (but for slightly different reasons).

I guess the whole "who beat up who, and for what reason" will never really be solved.

If Iwas to judge the two men from what info is out there, I'dcharacterize Dresnok as a bully and someone who wouldn't be above causing soeone pain (reminds me of my step-dad for some reason)

This book goes further into their relationship.
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Paddycakes



Joined: 05 May 2003
Location: Seoul
PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
Jenkins was placed in separate housing and began teaching English at the Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies. His very thick North Carolina accent interfered with the government's goal of teaching spies English so that they could pass as South Korean, and when the North Koreans realized this, he was fired from that job.


Probably at the 11th month, too... Doesn't matter if you're in the North or the South, getting screwed by the Koreans is just par for the course.

I hope Jenkins took this to the Labor Board, man.
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itaewonguy



Joined: 25 Mar 2003
PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Captain Corea wrote:
that guy wrote:
Haven't had read it yet but plan to soon.

Have you seen "Crossing the Line"? Dresnok paints a rather poor picture of Jenkins.


Yes actually, I did - and enjoyed it too (but for slightly different reasons).

I guess the whole "who beat up who, and for what reason" will never really be solved.

If Iwas to judge the two men from what info is out there, I'dcharacterize Dresnok as a bully and someone who wouldn't be above causing soeone pain (reminds me of my step-dad for some reason)

This book goes further into their relationship.


I think Dresnok bought into the whole communist way of life far more than jenkins did! dresnok was an orphan and had nothing waiting for him outside! I think dresnok truly loves the north and thats his home.
where Jenkins had his mother and sister outside not to mention his japanese wife and I think he really missed USA, seeing his mother again and truely believed he made a huge mistake crossing the line! and deep down always wanted to return home.. where dresnok was home and hated jenkins for wanting to leave. so dresnok calls him a traitor for leaving, and also I think dresnok feels betrayed, hurt and lonely now that he is the last man left in the NORTH.
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Captain Corea



Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yeah, he struck me as a man who really enjoyed "asking officials for a wife" and being served on the next day.
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