Fascinating - Rated 
This is a fascinating book. It deals with the personal experiences of the author during the horrors of the Kmher Rouge reign of terror.
It gives a first hand account of what it was like to live directly under the control and direction of the Khmer Rouge. Forced migration, starvation, imprisonment, torture, murder and all manner of deprivation are described.
The book deals with the day to day struggle to survive, and doesn't deal with the politics. In fact the author couldn't deal with the politics, because during the time of his suffering, he wasn't even aware of Pol Pot.
For a book on the history, or political history of Camdodia, chose one of David Chandler's books.
Don't miss this book if you want to know what life was like under the barbaric Kmher Rouge.
why haven't you bought this yet? - Rated
This is the second best book that I have ever read. A truly amazing and shocking account of life under the Khmer Rouge. Its hard to believe one man can go through so much anguish. If youre interested in what went on in Cambodia during the Pol Pot years, this book is a must. The truly harrowing parts are forewarned so easy to skip through, but that would be missing the point.
The best book I have ever read is 'Down and Out in Paris and London' by George Orwell.
An excellently written book on the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia in general. - Rated
This is an excellent book that describes the life of Haing Ngor through childhood and then in more detail during the 3 years of Khmer Rouge rule. It gives a harrowing insight into this communist regime through the eyes of someone with everything against him, and as a result is subjected to the worst of thier cruelty.
While it is excellent on the Khmer Rouge, it is equally interesting for the insights it gives into normal Cambodian life and customs. The description of his early life describes rural life and later his success in Phnom Penh.
This is the most moving book I have read and I would recommend it to anyone who takes an interest in Asia or Foreign Politics, the latter as a shocking example of how it can go wrong.
gripping - Rated
I have never been so gripped by a book and so emotionaly attached. Probably the first book to move me to tears. An incredible and heart renching story of an easy going doctor and his wife as they are moved from their easy lives under the corrupt yet peaceful regime of King Sihanok, to the disasterous communist ideals under the Khmer rouge, to Thailand to Hollywood and fame. Graphic details of torture, conspiracy and a great account of human behaviour under unimaginable pressures of a crazy regime are highlighted here. I was hooked from the introduction till the last word. Its probably the best book i have read.
Outstanding yet terrifying - Rated
Dr. Haing Ngor's book on his life is probably the most heart breaking account of Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge. When I picked it up I literally read it in one go. And so will you. It is an amazingly absorbing story.
Starting off with his childhood, I found it amazing that a teenager as rebellious as Ngor nevertheless makes it into medical school and becomes a doctor working in a Phnom Penh hospital. Whilst he progresses we catch a good feel how quickly Cambodia falls into corruption during the Lon Nol regime. The take-over of the country by the Khmer Rouge in April 1975 was seen by some as a new beginning. It was indeed that, but rather different than people expected and one which still haunts the country today. Dr. Ngor's description of life under the Khmer Rouge makes every movie made on the subject a very polite first try. I think one should read all of it including the three bits Dr. Ngor suggests one (perhaps) shouldn't. Fleeing the country in 1979 to Thailand and then the USA, Dr. Ngor survives the killing fields. In the US he climbs to Hollywood success almost by chance. Dr. Ngor's life story is not a singular experience - everyone who survived the killing fields has a story to tell - but perhaps his was noted more than others' because of his Hollywood fame.
This book is a must for everyone interest in this part of Cambodian history.
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