Communism and Reform in East Asia Book

The First few chapters were great on the pre-history and origins of the people of East Asia. The last few chapters were also great as they focused on 20th century asian history, not very frequently taught in high school history classes. In the post-war period as the Americans landed some troops in Korea, instead of denouncing those koreans who had collaborated with the Japanese they placed them in powerful positions in government. Contrast that with how they treated those Koreans who had fought tooth and nail against the Japanese for fifteen, twenty years and who happened to have sympathies with the Soviets and followed mostly communist ideology. They were only placed in positions of power in the North of the country. The South was ruled by an American controlled puppet dictator that committed terrible crimes against civilians but was bolstered by American aid and support. Now I understand a lot more about why we have a rogue state in North Korea. This has been in production for the past 70-90 years from when the Japanese first invaded. Things aren't as simple as our American politicians and media like to make them for us.