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Summary: An Incredible Narrative of Tragedy, Courage, and Survival.
Review: Having traveled extensively in Asia and keenly recalling the tragedy of Cambodia from media accounts and as depicted in the movie "The Killing Fields," I was attracted immediately to this subject matter. However, even then I was unprepared for the enormous impact this book would have on me.Anyone with respect for human dignity will surely be affected by this insider chonicle of the unspeakable atrocities committed against average, ordinary, and innocent Cambodian families and individuals. And yet, despite the enormity of the physical and psychological terrors, in the end, the triumph of a child and her siblings bravery, perseverance, and spirit leads to a story of ultimate survival and confirmation of light over darkness. This is an important book, not only in detailing the author's incredible individual ordeal, but also reminding us of the terrible consequences of a fanatical totalitarian fringe gaining power in any society. And finally this is a tough story, but also one to celebrate and learn from. It should be recommended reading in Universities around the world in the hope that the architects of tomorrow's societies be well aware of the dangers of fanatical extremism.
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Summary: first theyu killed my father
Review: The book "First They Killed My Father" was a great book. It was excellently written. The gripping story of the 1975 Khmer Rouge invasion of Cambodia told from the voice of a child is powerful. Loung Ung, the author, faces many hardships in this story. I would recommend it to anyone who likes good books. This is very good and Loung Ung is a very skilled writter.
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Summary: DON'T BUY THIS BOOK - If you hate the truth
Review: I was just reading that a PBS special Bill Moyers did called "EVIL" failed (conveniently for Left-leaning Liberals) to mention the works of Communist like Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot as evil.
If you hate truth, you'll hate this book.
Here you will read in riveting detail about an eight year old girl's experiences in the "Killing Fields" of Cambodia as a victim and survivor. Moyers and his cronies on the Left don't want you to know about this book. You see, to them, all the millions murdered under Communists regimes were just victims of excesses on the road to utoptia. A utopia that misunderstood heroes like Pol Pot were trying to bring about.
I read this book out loud to my fiance's eight and ten year old daughters. They loved it too.
But if you hate the truth, don't buy this book.
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Summary: Deeply affecting and powerful
Review: I have been trying to find this book ever since I saw the author on CSPAN doing a reading at a bookstore. Her tale fascinated me. This is one of those rare books that fully transports you back in time and place...I don't see how anyone can remain un moved by this amazing book.
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Summary: First They Killed My Father
Review: My visit to Cambodia was a life-changing experience, and then I read the book, "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers." My love for Cambodia and the Cambodian people has been forever branded deep into my spirit. This book vividly communicates the power of the human spirit to rise above evil at its lowest! Thank you, Loung Ung, for sharing your story with us!
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Summary: A most important read
Review: The Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia is arguably the greatest human tragedy in my life time (I'm 30 years old). This tragedy is brought to life and made poignant by the perspective a remarkable little girl, Loung Ung.
While I enjoyed (strange word in this case) the book immensely, I have given it four stars as it perhaps fails to transcend the genre of auto-biographical history and become litrature. Where FTKMF does succeed, is in its attention to detail (I can't imagine how she remembers so much), and the authors dream-like scenarios that give us a window into events she was not witness to. At times the book indeed becomes literary when she escapes into her imagination. Perhaps most worthy of admiration is the pluck and courage of the author herself.
First They Killed My Father is the most important book I've ever read with the exception of Holy scripture. This title should be considered as equivalent for Hiroshima and Diary of Anne Frank for High School readers.
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Summary: Beyond the Struggles
Review: I picked up this book while travelling to Cambodia. Before my trip, I was expecting some people in Cambodia to share their experiences during the Khmer Rouge with me--I didn't get any except from a taxi driver on our last day (he gave a very good, moving and harrowing description). The majority of the people we interacted with were fairly young and did not experience the horrors of the 70's. Most of the ones that did have passed away.
So I am really glad that I read this book because it has given me a deeper understanding about what happened in Cambodia during the Pol Pot regime. The more personalized approach of "First They Killed My Father" is also really effective. I truly felt that I was with the characters during their nightmarish experiences.
In many ways, I am happy that I did not hear a lot about the Khmer Rouge during my trip. It enabled me to see Cambodia beyond its past struggles. It's a really beautiful country, filled with amazing temples (yes, the one from Tomb Raider), great food and kind people. I highly recommend visiting the country and to read "First They Killed My Father" before or after the trip--not during.
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Summary: My new favorite book
Review: Forget Britney....And do you tend to complain of your life's miseries because you are not Britney? This is the kind of literature that makes you a different person, if you read it. You won't be the same, I promise. You'd appreciate the simplest of things in life...a drop of water, a grain of rice, a grain of sugar...and love and support from the family. It should be on a reading list for every students.
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