Children of Cambodia's Killing Fields: Memoirs by Survivors

Twenty-nine essays compiled by Dith Pran, each written by a Cambodian who was still in childhood when Cambodia fell into Pol Pot's hands. Ben Kiernan ties the collection together so well in his introduction: "Children had to work like adults. Adults, given instructions like children, were treated like animals." As Kiernan notes, Pol Pot's efforts to build his twisted revolution on the backs of these children certainly backfired! The accompanying photos of the contributing authors and the details of their successful new lives in America will make any American recognize what a 'promised land' our country still remains. In so many many ways America has failed the Cambodian people, but most of those fortunate few who reached our shores have made successful lives for themselves and their families. The difficulties confronting those who remain in Cambodia today are seemingly insurmountable. As has been said so many times, every Cambodian has a story to tell, and a river of ink could not describe their nation's suffering. Dith Pran has once again served his people proudly with this touching collection.

"The killing fields" are only the tip of the iceberg. These stories, from the children who survived the atrocities of the Pol Pot regime, should be required reading. We need to know and understand what happened, so it won't continue to be repeated.

I had the opportunity to meet Dith Pran and hear him speak during a Literature of Genocide symposium in New Jersey. His sadness about what had happened to his country and its culture and his mission to not let the genocide be forgotten was overwhelming to those of us who heard him speak. He told us he needed to pass the torch to the younger generation as he needed to stop being sad for the remainder of his life. His life was indeed a mission and it is also sad that it was far too short.

I have visited Cambodia many times and have met survivors of the Killing Fields. This part of Cambodia’s history is important to record and learn. These stories are just tips to the iceberg of what happened in that beautiful country.

Heart breaking and scary reality.

.. and such a sad loss for all of us with the tragic death of the amazing man who lived and survived The Killing Fields.. alas.

Should be read by everyone to help us understand what these people have been through. Horrifying, but may help to prevent similar happenings in the future.

very moving

This should be compulsory reading for anyone and everyone who has a morale compass. Too many things are ignored when the subject matter is as "controversial" as this, yet this shows a slight but important glimpse into the effect out-of-order political regimes can have on a wonderful and beautiful country.If you found The Klling Fields a remarkable story of bravery and the will to survive, you will admire how many Dith Prans there are in just one simple country.Buy and appreciate this book, as the word "enjoy" cant be used on this occasion.

Moving accounts written by survivors of the Khmer Rouge era, all of whom were children when Pol Pot and his killers were in power and all of whom witnessed murders and lost members of their families.

I first read this book 10 years ago while making a documentary in Cambodia. I remember translating it out loud to my Czech crew as we drove through Cambodia's beautiful countryside. Time and again I had to stop my translation and look out the window, unable to continue the description of indescribable cruelty perpetuated by the Khmer Rouge upon innocent children.

The book was exactly what I ordered but it was poorly packaged and the cover was bent decreasing the books value and appearance.

印刷が悪く写真は不鮮明、文章も所々、消えているので星１つ減らしました。約30人の短い（短いもので３ページ、最長でも１０ページ）回想記を集めたものです。いずれも当時４歳からティーンエージャーでクメール・ルージュの悪政を生き延び、タイの難民キャンプをへてアメリカに移住したという経歴です。１名のみクメール・ルージュに制圧される直前すんでのところで隣国に逃れたので悪夢のような経験をしないで済んだ人のものが含まれていますが、他は悲惨極まりない体験の数々に読むのをし何度も中断しながら読み終わりました。