The WSJ’s Gabriel Schoenfeld writes a review of “The Reluctant Communist,” the memoirs of Charles Robert Jenkins, the US Army deserter who spent 40 years as a guest of the DPRK. Here’s the money shot:
However we judge Mr. Jenkins’s actions so many years ago, “The Reluctant Communist” is itself an act of redemption. This extraordinary book opens a window on a world of fathomless evil, and it tells a heartbreaking story — of a life lived in adversity and conducted with a mixture of fortitude, resignation, tenderness and regret. Clearly Charles Robert Jenkins emerged from his years of ordeal with his Americanness intact. True patriotism can come in many forms.
Read the rest on your own.
(HT to reader)
5 Comments
I have the book, but am reading another currently. W/o reading it yet, I had the same inclination; 40 years was long enough to atone for a few hours of utter stupidity. I’d not call him “patriot,” but don’t have any animosity towards him. He was stupid, but didn’t know he was checking into the Hotel California.
I’m more interested in the other American deserter, the one Jenkins describes as being a bit of an asshole.
I just saw part of that documentary (Crossing the Line) on the other American deserter, Joe Dresnok.
Maybe it was just good editing, but Dresnok came off as a pretty tragic guy to me. He is almost compleatly ignorant of the outside world and seems to really believe the praise for Kim Il-sung that comes out of his mouth.
Like so many people in North Korea, the guy needs help.
Will definatley try and get a copy of the Reluctant Communist, I love reading this stuff. I’ve heard a lot about Crossing the line. Anyone know where a copy can be purchased from?
I don’t think that Joe Dresnok believes the official line any more than I believe any of the Pyongyang elite believes it. He is just as engaged in a survival-driven coping effort as they.
Jenkins got out and is flapping his gums about the place, but Dresnok is stuck there without a government pulling for his release, as Koizumi’s Japan did for Jenkins. Dresnok has children and a wife to worry about — what if he didn’t do as he was no doubt ordered to do?