Cambodia has a long and complex history, much of which is marked by conflict and tragedy. To truly understand this Southeast Asian nation, it is important to learn about its history, culture, and the experiences of its people. The following five books to understand Cambodia which provide insight into Cambodia’s history, especially the brutal Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s, as well as the spirit and perseverance of its people.
First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung
This gripping memoir provides a firsthand account of life under the Khmer Rouge. Written by Loung Ung, who was just 5 years old when the communist regime took control of Cambodia in 1975, the book chronicles her family’s struggle to survive forced labor camps and mass genocide.
Through Ung’s childlike perspective, you’ll gain insight into the harsh living conditions, starvation, disease, and violence that defined the era. As the Khmer Rouge systematically tear families apart and aim to break the human spirit, Ung’s tale of resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable loss serves as an inspiration.
- Her story begins in Phnom Penh, where her close-knit, middle-class family lives a happy life. In a matter of days, they lose everything and are evacuated to work camps.
- Ung is separated from most of her family and spends years enduring back-breaking labor, hunger, and abuse along with millions of others.
- The book recounts her daring escape to Thailand at just 10 years old. She is eventually reunited with two of her siblings, who also survived.
This poignant and memorable book provides a glimpse into one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century through the eyes of a child. It’s a history lesson and a celebration of human perseverance all in one. For understanding Cambodia’s troubled past and present, this should be first on your reading list.
Cambodia’s Curse by Joel Brinkley
Joel Brinkley’s Cambodia’s Curse takes a sobering look at how decades of war and political turmoil have shaped Cambodia’s modern-day struggles. This Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist spent years reporting from Cambodia, and his book provides insight into the country’s disturbing history and uncertain future.
Through interviews with government officials, human rights workers, and everyday Cambodians, Brinkley examines the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge genocide. He finds a nation still grappling with extreme poverty, government corruption, and human rights abuses. Many Cambodians remain haunted by memories of the brutal regime that killed nearly a quarter of the population in the 1970s.
At the same time, Cambodia’s younger generation is coming of age with no firsthand knowledge of the Khmer Rouge. While this could signal hope for the future, Brinkley argues that the root causes of Cambodia’s suffering—disregard for human life, obsession with power, and foreign intervention—remain. He paints a sobering portrait of a country still struggling to overcome its violent past and forge a democratic future.
For anyone seeking to understand modern Cambodia, this book is essential reading. Though often disturbing, Cambodia’s Curse provides insight into how this resilient nation could finally break free of its cycle of oppression and build a more just society.
River of Time by Jon Swain
A Glimpse into Cambodia’s Turbulent History
To understand Cambodia today, you must understand its history. River of Time provides a poignant look into the country’s past through the eyes of journalists reporting during the era.
Originally published in 1996, this memoir by Jon Swain chronicles his time as a foreign correspondent in Cambodia and Vietnam from 1970 to 1975. Swain reported for the Agence France-Presse and The Sunday Times, witnessing firsthand the covert operations, coups, invasions, and social revolutions that shaped Cambodia during this period. He provides an insightful glimpse into Phnom Penh’s high society and life as a journalist during wartime.
Swain’s vivid descriptions transport you to the streets of Phnom Penh and the jungles along the Mekong. His words evoke the sounds, smells, and tensions of the era. River of Time tells the stories of people from all walks of life whose lives were upended by the turmoil—politicians and paupers, journalists and farmers, diplomats and dancers. Through these accounts, you gain a deeper understanding of how political events impacted everyday citizens.
While Cambodia has transitioned to peace, the legacy of the Khmer Rouge and Vietnam War era still impacts the nation. River of Time offers critical context into the traumatic events that shaped contemporary Cambodia. Swain’s memoir is essential for any visitor seeking to understand the psychological and societal scars that remain. The book provides a poignant window into a pivotal time that forged the Cambodia of today.
When the War Was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge Revolution” by Elizabeth Becker
When the Khmer Rouge took power in Cambodia in 1975, they immediately evacuated cities and towns and forced residents into labor camps and collective farms. In “When the War Was Over,” Elizabeth Becker, a journalist who covered Cambodia for The Washington Post, provides an in-depth look at the Khmer Rouge’s radical communist regime.
A Harrowing Look at the Khmer Rouge
Becker conducted extensive interviews with survivors of the Khmer Rouge, painting a harrowing picture of the extreme hardship and violence of the regime. She describes the forced evacuations, the dismantling of society, the harsh conditions of the labor camps, and the “re-education” of city dwellers. The Khmer Rouge’s goal was to create an agrarian utopia, erasing all traces of capitalism and Western culture. This radical vision resulted in forced labor, starvation, disease, and the deaths of nearly 2 million Cambodians.
Becker’s book is a sobering must-read for understanding how the Khmer Rouge was able to seize control of Cambodia and instill a reign of terror. Her eyewitness accounts and survivor stories serve as a chilling reminder of how fragile peace and democracy can be, and how easily a small group of extremists can gain power through violence and oppression. For readers interested in Cambodia’s history or the dangers of totalitarianism, this book provides grim but important insights. While harrowing, Becker’s work sheds light on a tragic period that should not be forgotten.
A History of Cambodia” by David Chandler
A Sweeping History
David Chandler’s “A History of Cambodia” gives you a comprehensive overview of Cambodia’s rich and tumultuous history. Spanning from the ancient Angkor era to the post-Khmer Rouge period, this book provides deep insights into the cultural forces that shaped Cambodia.
Chandler recounts tales of the rise and fall of the massive Angkor kingdom, with its architectural wonders like Angkor Wat. He chronicles the French colonial period, Cambodia’s independence, Prince Sihanouk’s Vietnam War era rule, and the devastating Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot. This book offers a sobering look at the immense suffering of Cambodians in the 1970s.
Yet it also shows the resilience of the Cambodian people. Despite the traumas of war and genocide, Cambodia persevered and rebuilt itself. Today, Cambodia is a peaceful country, though still grappling with its troubled past.
Chandler’s book is essential for anyone seeking to understand Cambodia’s history and culture in depth. He brings to life the personalities, places, and events that shaped this fascinating nation. This highly readable yet authoritative account provides insight into how Cambodia developed its unique identity — and how its people survived some of the darkest chapters of the 20th century.
You might also want to read: Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge History: Understanding the Past for a Better Future, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum -Once was a jail and is now a museum, Cultural Contrasts: How Khmer and Western Values Differ
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