Joseph Kim's Inspiring Memoir: From Starvation in North Korea to Salvation in America - Under The Same Sky

Amazon Customer: Read this in two days. Could hardly put it down. Well written, interesting and informative on so many levels. Easy to understand and relate to something so unfamiliar to me. Certainly, among the best if not the best true story I've ever read. Highly recommend this book.

United States on Sep 10, 2023

Hiteshi Kothari: Great quality and delivered on time!

India on May 15, 2021

Sharon: I recommend this book to all my Christian friends who are praying for North Korea. I like to read true stories about North Korea as they are constantly on my mind. I have asked myself, "Why was I born in America where I've known freedom all my life and others live in countries where they are starving and do not have the necessities of life. Jesus said that we would always have the poor with us. But prayer is a powerful tool that we as followers of Christ can use to pray for those who seek our heavenly Father. He is answering our prayers and that is evident as I read the story of Joseph Kim. We do not know the particular persons we are praying for, but as followers of Christ, we keep praying for those who are seeking a better way and seeking our GOD Who made the heavens and the earth. I pray for Joseph Kim that he will find comfort and peace in America and be a tool that the LORD Jesus can use to bring other lonely hearts to Himself. May he find Jesus the best Friend that a person could have in this life. Jesus died for the whole world and Joseph can help people that I cannot help because of his experiences. I give this a 5 star because he spent most of his book telling of his true...

United States on Dec 09, 2019

Tim Taylor: This book is one of the most horrific stories I have read, it is absolutely horrible to think a country is being run by a complete despot, that people can believe in someone to the extent they will relinquish their identity to become part of a giant machine that basically doesn't really care if they live or die.

It left me shocked and even more so to discover the author is now only 25

United Kingdom on Dec 09, 2016

Premdayal G.: This autobiography provides a true picture of life in North Korea . Very moving . Now-a-days I often wonder how a country as poor as North Korea can manage to give sleepless nights to the Big Four (China excluded) and South Korea and Japan .

India on Nov 16, 2016

Kali: An incredibly powerful and moving book, the author comes across as deeply relate able and human. His voice, in telling the story, is powerful and yet kind at the same time. I can't even begin to imagine what his life would have been like emotionally, from watching his father starve to death to watching his sister be led away to perhaps become a slave wife in China.

It is a hard read, but personally one that I feel I had to read. I am glad that Joseph Kim found the courage and strength to write this.

Canada on Jul 20, 2016

Priscila Kuntgen: This book made me stop and reevaluate everything and every blessing I have in my life, how grateful I am to God. And how much more we need to get out of our comfort zone and help others in need. North Koreans are really suffering to this day

Brazil on May 24, 2016

book lover: UNDER THE SAME SKY by Joseph Kim
What a harrowing tale Joseph tells in this, his story from early childhood in North Korea to young manhood in America.
His father is a mid-level party worker and his family is comfortable in the 1980’s. Kim, his father, mother and sister, Bong Sook, live with electricity, a TV and plenty of food and snacks. Then the famine in North Korea takes all of that away. His father and mother lose their jobs, then their furniture, TV and even clothing in order to eat. Eventually they lose their home and are dependent upon their extended family for a roof and food. Finally they have exhausted all options. Kim’s mother sells his sister in South Korea, and disappears. Joseph is left on his own as a young boy. The book details the heartrending life he leads as a homeless youth, descending into theft, lies and violence to survive. Written in simple, but graphic terms, he tells how he ultimately loses all hope and faith in communism and North Korea. He sneaks into South Korea at great risk, becoming a refugee from one the world’s most repressive regimes.
The book’s subtitle, FROM STARVATION IN NORTH KOREA TO SALVATION IN AMERICA, gives the story...

United States on Aug 31, 2015

Tyler: I heard Kwang Jin (Joseph) talk on NPR and was fascinated by his philosophy about what it takes to beg. It's similar to Tim O'Brien's, "The Things They Carried" in where our protagonist doesn't have the guts to dodge the war draft by fleeing to Canada. We may see that begging is an easy way out but these stories contradict that mentality. Moreover, we may find the motives for beggars and thieves to be economical gain, but as Kwang Jin recounts, it was survival. I'd argue these philosophies translate into our modern world. We bend the natural and moral to accommodate and stay afloat. As hinted when Kwang Jin visits China, he is shocked by the way people dressed. Adrian was sensitive to this and helped the refugees dress accordingly. His survival was increased by what he wore, not just by where he was. Now onto the book.

This book left mixed feelings. It's not difficult to read, there are unhinged recounts of what life can be like for someone who grew up in North Korea written concisely and in a story telling way that's engaging. Feelings are mixed because it was co-written. There were a few spots that don't quite meld well with the overall theme of the story. These moments...

United States on Jul 22, 2015