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Barbara Demick

91quotes

Full Name and Common Aliases


Barbara Demick is a well-known American journalist, author, and commentator.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on November 12, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Demick's nationality is American, and her profession spans journalism, non-fiction writing, and commentary. She has worked as a foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times.

Early Life and Background


Growing up in a family that valued literature and journalism, Demick developed an interest in storytelling from a young age. Her parents encouraged her to explore various languages and cultures, which laid the groundwork for her future career. After completing high school, Demick pursued higher education at Princeton University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in History. She later received a Master's degree in Comparative Literature from Yale University.

Major Accomplishments


Demick has made significant contributions to journalism as well as literature through her writing and reporting. One of her most notable works is the book Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, which won the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction in 2009. This critically acclaimed book offers a detailed account of life under the totalitarian regime of North Korea, based on extensive interviews with defectors.

Notable Works or Actions


Demick's other notable works include Eclipse: Living and Dying on the Edge of Towns That Don't Exist Any More, which explores the decline of post-industrial American cities. Her writing often delves into themes such as identity, culture, and social change in both domestic and international contexts.

Impact and Legacy


Demick's work has had a significant impact on public discourse about North Korea and its people. By giving voice to individuals who have escaped the regime, she humanizes the issue, highlighting the struggles faced by those living under oppressive conditions. Her writing also contributes to the understanding of global issues such as economic decline, urban decay, and the complexities of international relations.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Demick is widely quoted and remembered for her insightful reporting on North Korea, which has made a substantial contribution to the public's awareness of this often-misunderstood country. Her ability to craft engaging narratives that delve into the human side of major global issues makes her a prominent voice in contemporary literature and journalism.

Quotes by Barbara Demick

Barbara Demick's insights on:

The Uighurs are a Turkic people more closely related to Uzbeks and Kazakhs than to Chinese.
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The Uighurs are a Turkic people more closely related to Uzbeks and Kazakhs than to Chinese.
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As a reader, I've always been interested in dystopian novels like 'Nineteen Eighty-four'.
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As a reader, I've always been interested in dystopian novels like 'Nineteen Eighty-four'.
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In 1991, few North Koreans had ever used a telephone. You had to go to a post office to make a phone call.
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In 1991, few North Koreans had ever used a telephone. You had to go to a post office to make a phone call.
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In 1984, George Orwell wrote of a world where the only colour to be found was in the propaganda posters. Such is the case in North Korea. Images of Kim Il-sung are depicted in vivid colours. Rays of yellow and orange emanate from his face: he is the sun.
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In 1984, George Orwell wrote of a world where the only colour to be found was in the propaganda posters. Such is the case in North Korea. Images of Kim Il-sung are depicted in vivid colours. Rays of yellow and orange emanate from his face: he is the sun.
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In the 1990s, the United States offered to help North Korea with its energy needs if it gave up its nuclear weapons programme.
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In the 1990s, the United States offered to help North Korea with its energy needs if it gave up its nuclear weapons programme.
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North Korea is not an undeveloped country; it is a country that has fallen out of the developed world.
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North Korea is not an undeveloped country; it is a country that has fallen out of the developed world.
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People have crossed the Himalayas in flip-flops seeking a blessing from the Dalai Lama.
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People have crossed the Himalayas in flip-flops seeking a blessing from the Dalai Lama.
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Since 2009, 140 Tibetans have immolated themselves to protest Chinese policies that limit their freedom of movement, speech and religion, especially their right to venerate the Dalai Lama.
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Since 2009, 140 Tibetans have immolated themselves to protest Chinese policies that limit their freedom of movement, speech and religion, especially their right to venerate the Dalai Lama.
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A South Korean teenager, 18-year-old male, is about five inches taller than his North Korean counterpart. And there are many soldiers who are only about 4'6". The height requirement is supposed to be 4'9". That's the size of my 12-year-old son.
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A South Korean teenager, 18-year-old male, is about five inches taller than his North Korean counterpart. And there are many soldiers who are only about 4'6". The height requirement is supposed to be 4'9". That's the size of my 12-year-old son.
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North Korea's whole idea is to create a crisis to solve a crisis. They're so poor and they're so desperate that they realize that this bombastic rhetoric can drive the South Korean stock market down and get the U.S. in a tizzy. And it's a game they've been playing for many, many years.
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North Korea's whole idea is to create a crisis to solve a crisis. They're so poor and they're so desperate that they realize that this bombastic rhetoric can drive the South Korean stock market down and get the U.S. in a tizzy. And it's a game they've been playing for many, many years.
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