North Korea, South Korea

"North Korea/South Korea" is a short, accessible book about the history and politics of the Korean peninsula, with a focus on the U.S. presence. The first of four sections is a snapshot of the status quo. The second section establishes a political and economic context through an exploration of the history of the Korean peninsula, including the Korean War. The third section surveys the current regional political dynamic. The last section concentrates on the shift in emphasis in U.S. foreign policy from engagement under the Clinton administration to containment under the Bush administration. Feffer offers concrete proposals for U.S. policies that could help reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula.

John Feffer is the editor of "Power Trip: U.S. Foreign Policy After September 11."