This book examines the turbulent relationship between the United States and North Korea (DPRK) between 2001 and 2007 in an effort to document what the author considers to be failed diplomacy on the part of the U.S. concerning North Korea’s nuclear program. Author Charles Pritchard, who worked as an ambassadorial aide for President George W. Bush in North Korean energy program negotiations, integrates official documents with his personal experience and analysis, noting that much of the book's content "has not been made public before now" (xi). The book covers Pritchard’s time working for the Bush adminstration during Bush's first term, offers a personal analysis of the North Korean nuclear program, and discusses the series of Six-Party Talks (between China, South Korea, North Korea, the United States, Russia and Japan). The final section includes the author's ideas regarding a permanent security forum for Northeast Asia. Appendices include a 2006 report on the North Korean nuclear program.