The cleanest race
by B. R. Myers · first published 2010
16mentions
10recommended by
15HN commenters
2010–2018first – last mentioned
67% recommend33% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Argues that North Korean ideology draws on ethnic nationalism and Japanese-style fascism, with close analysis of its language and propaganda. An informed, fresh perspective for readers curious about North Korea.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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It comes from a passage in "The Cleanest Race" by B.R. Myers[1], which I recommend as a lens into the internal effects of North Korea's propaganda >"One colleague told me he finds the North Korean personality cult too absurd to take seriously; indeed,…
on “From inboxing to thought showers: how business bullshit took over” ↗It does not follow that because Kim Il Sung fought against the Japanese, he was not influenced by Japanese ideology. Before you dismiss the article's argument out of hand, take a look at "The Cleanest Race" by B. R. Myers, which is a much more informed articulation of the same thesis (and a very interesting read to boot).
on “North Korea makes more sense when you know its roots” ↗Another good book on North Korea is B.R. Myers' "The Cleanest Race." While it's not focused on history or defectors specifically, it does offer unique insight on the formation of the North Korean state and the rationale behind its actions.
on “Kim Jong-il's Sushi Chef” ↗North Korea is not communist. Read the book The Cleanest Race to see how U.S. analysts really see North Korea. There are no communist countries today. It's fun to talk about capitalism in the abstract like it doesn't keep monarchism in the closet, underdevelops…
on “I Tried to See Where My T-Shirt Was Made” ↗This viewpoint is described in detail in the book, The Cleanest Race: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EWETZW/ref=dp-kindle-re... It supports the theory of North Korean racial fascism premised upon WW2 Japanese Fascism, by analyzing language (The dramatic superiority…
on “North Korea makes more sense when you know its roots” ↗…book about the history of dualist religion? But it turns out to be a real page-turner. A good author can apply their skills in a surprising area and create a very interesting book. For instance, "The Cleanest Race" isn't just about North Korea, it's also about doing comparative analysis on propaganda. To me, this doesn't make the topic narrower, it makes it broader. People like me who aren't interested in comparative…
on “O’Reilly Media Has Lost Its Soul” ↗I would add "The cleanest race: How North Koreans See Themselves and Why It Matters" (http://www.amazon.com/The-Cleanest-Race-Themselves-ebook/dp/...). I have been reading about North Korea for a while, and I find this book to open…
on “Getting drunk in North Korea” ↗…Koreans as well. If you're curious, here are the books which formed my impression on the subject: "Without You, There Is No Us," https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JTC9QBO/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?... "The Cleanest Race: How North Koreans See Themselves and Why it Matters," https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EWETZW/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?... "Dear Leader: My Escape from North Korea," https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IBYRQ18/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?...
on “Missiles of North Korea” ↗…that your thesis was correct, but no longer is. Now it would be a massive social and economic burden for any country, including the ROK, which is why reunification is becoming ever more unlikely. 'The Cleanest Race' is a good read.
on “Kim Jong-nam killing: Suspect 'was paid $90 for baby oil prank'” ↗I agree with you on literally all points, but critically the PRC does not. As for ethnicity, I agree as well, but the North doesn’t really. I’d strongly recommend The Cleanest Race by Brian Reynolds-
on “Time to prepare for the worst in North Korea” ↗Two others to read are ‘The Cleanest Race’ and ‘Eyes of The Tailless Animals’ if you’re interested in the subject. 38North.org is also a fantastic resource.
on “What’s North Korea like?” ↗Everyone - everyone in South Korea hates Kim Jong-il, and most people seem kind of embarassed and blush when you mention him. What about this, which came from B.R. Myers's book "The Cleanest Race: How North Koreans See Themselves and Why It Matters": "Even in South Korea there are those who feel the Kim Jong-il regime, under which they themselves could not live for a single day, to be somehow…
on “Life inside the North Korean Bubble (with video)” ↗BR Myers makes a good case in The Cleanest Race that North Korea is closer to a racist-fascist state along the lines of (pre-)WWII-era Japan. In brief, the internal propaganda sets the leaders as the mother (yes, they use "mother", not "father") of…
on “Sophie In North Korea” ↗If you’re interested in the topic you might want to have a go over it once more. The author [0] is a leading North Korea watcher, most famous for his 2010 book, “The Cleanest Race”. [1] [0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Reynolds_Myers [1] https://www.mhpbooks.com/books/the-cleanest-race/
on “North Korea's Unification Drive” ↗I think one of Hitchens' points is that there may be no good to be done with a civil position toward North Korea. In discussing the book, The Cleanest Race, he says the conclusions of the book could "mean that peace and disarmament negotiations with [N. Korea] are a waste of time—and perhaps a dangerous waste at that."