Accidental Tyrant

The Life of Kim Il-sung

Fyodor Tertitskiy

$49.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

C Hurst & Co
01 June 2025

Biography: historical, political & military; History; Political structures: totalitarianism & dictatorship

Kim Il-sung was the enigmatic architect of North Korea. His life is an extraordinary tale of improbable success: once a barely educated guerrilla fighter, he rose to lead the nation at the young age of 33. Against all odds, he established a horrifyingly stable dictatorial regime, one that still struggles to provide for its people, yet could obliterate Hollywood, Silicon Valley and much of East Asia in nuclear strikes.

Based on extensive new sources in Korean, Russian, Chinese and Japanese, Fyodor Tertitskiy tells the unlikely story of one of the twentieth century's most brutal but little-known dictators, from his early life in Japanese Korea to the lasting repercussions of his autocratic rule today. Tertitskiy showcases Kim's political prowess in gaining autonomy from the USSR; explores how his inept economic policy led to catastrophic famine; and highlights how he implemented a system of hereditary rule, paving the way for today's 'Supreme Leader', Kim Jong-un, to assume power and continue his grandfather's vision.

Accidental Tyrant serves as a stark cautionary tale, underscoring that the triumph of liberty is never guaranteed. Met with insufficient resistance, even the most unlikely leader can build a regime of repression and privation that long outlives its founder.

By: Fyodor Tertitskiy
Imprint: C Hurst & Co
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm,
ISBN: 9781911723547
ISBN 10: 1911723545
Pages: 352
Publication Date: 01 June 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Fyodor Tertitskiy has been living in South Korea for more than a decade, where he researches North Korean political, social and military history. He has authored several books in English and Korean, including Soviet-North Korean Relations During the Cold War and The North Korean Army: History, Structure, Daily Life.

Reviews for Accidental Tyrant: The Life of Kim Il-sung

'Tertitskiy has marshalled an impressive array of sources in multiple languages to piece together this brisk, credible and highly readable account ... fascinating.' -- The Telegraph ‘A comprehensive and highly accessible account of the creation of North Korea—and its first dictator, Kim Il-sung. His legacy persists to this day, through his grandson Kim Jong-un, making this book essential reading for understanding how this repressive autocracy endures.’ -- Anna Fifield, author of The Great Successor: The Secret Rise and Rule of Kim Jong Un ‘The definitive account of the man who shaped modern North Korea. Drawing on extensive archival research and the author’s deep historical knowledge, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of North Korea’s past and present.' -- Andrei Lankov, author of North of the DMZ and The Real North Korea ‘Tertitskiy’s well-researched book makes accessible for general readers the life of Kim Il-sung. This is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the ideological and political origins of contemporary North Korea.’ -- Ankit Panda, author of Kim Jong Un and the Bomb ‘Tertitskiy, a renowned North Korea scholar, explores the true history of Kim Il-sung. This historic work delves into the origins of North Korea and its complex relationship with its progenitor, the Soviet Union, offering vital insights into the foundations of the regime that continues to shape the brutal and dangerous rule of Kim Jong-un today.’ -- Kang Chol-hwan, North Korean escapee and co-author of The Aquariums of Pyongyang: Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag