Hair cuts, power cuts and empty shelves - inside the 'hermit kingdom' This month sees the release of North Korea: State of Paranoia, a gripping journey into life inside the world's most secretive state by best-selling author Paul French.
From the small ways in which ordinary North Koreans hold life together - from love and work to family and fashion - to the big issues of North Korea's oppressive political regime and tensions with the international community, Paul French provides the most accessible and eloquent account of this mysterious country.
Watch out for 'A day in Pyongyang' - an exclusive extract in The Guardian, published tomorrow Saturday 3 May.
FOLLOW @StateofParanoia: Daily life in Pyongyang - a photo each day
Paul will be Tweeting a photo everyday throughout May, providing a unique glimpse into daily life in the North Korea capital, away from the stage-managed parades. Follow @StateofParanoia.
VIDEO: Why China holds the key to reform in North Korea
Watch Paul talk about his experiences in North Korea and why he thinks China holds the key to reform in North Korea in this short book trailer.
EVENTS: Paul French speaking in May
Asia House Festival of Asian Literature - London, Wednesday 7 May
Paul will be speaking alongside John Everard, the former UK ambassador to North Korea and Charles Scanlon, BBC East Asia's editor. Visit Asia House for more details and to buy tickets.
Book launch: Daunt Books Chelsea - London, Thursday 29 May
Paul will officially launch the book in conversation with Harriet Evans, Professor of Chinese Studies at the University of Westminster. Followed by a wine reception and Korean-style buffet. Visit Daunt Books for more information and to buy tickets.
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Leftover WomenThe Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China
Leta Hong Fincher
Leftover Women argues that women in China have experienced a dramatic rollback of rights and gains relative to men. Read a recent interview with Leta Hong Fincher in The Daily Telegraph and a review in The Economist. Listen out for Leta on BBC Radio 4's Thinking Allowed on 28 May.
Part of the Asian Arguments series.
Changing Narratives of Sexuality
Contestations, Compliance and Women's Empowerment
Edited by Charmaine Pereira
From storytelling to women's engagement with state institutions, stories of unmarried women and ageing women, a sex scandal and narrations of religious influence on women's subjectivities and sexualities, this impressive collection explores sexuality in a wide range of national contexts in the global South.
Part of the Feminisms and Development series.
The History of Development
From Western Origins to Global Faith, 4th edition
Gilbert Rist
Now in its fourth edition, this is a classic development text, which has both defined and changed its field. Gilbert Rist provides a complete and powerful overview of what the idea of development has meant throughout history.
'If you want to understand the ideological forces that have shaped North-South relations for half a century, you need this remarkable book.' - Susan George
Rethinking Corporatization and Public Services in the Global South
Edited by David A. Macdonald
Drawing on original case studies from Asia, Africa and Latin America, this book explores this rapidly growing trend towards ‘corporatization’ - public enterprises owned and operated by the state, with varying degrees of autonomy. If sometimes driven by neoliberal agendas, there exist examples of corporatization that could herald a brighter future for equity-oriented public services.
'This book offers a thorough critique, providing a theoretical framework and a set of criteria for evaluating this new reform in public service delivery. A must-read for policy-makers, practitioners and scholars of public service reform.' - Mildred E. Warner, Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, Cornell University
Rethinking Corporatization and Public Services in the Global South
Edited by David A. Macdonald
Drawing on original case studies from Asia, Africa and Latin America, this book explores this rapidly growing trend towards ‘corporatization’ - public enterprises owned and operated by the state, with varying degrees of autonomy. If sometimes driven by neoliberal agendas, there exist examples of corporatization that could herald a brighter future for equity-oriented public services.
'This book offers a thorough critique, providing a theoretical framework and a set of criteria for evaluating this new reform in public service delivery. A must-read for policy-makers, practitioners and scholars of public service reform.' - Mildred E. Warner, Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, Cornell University
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