First They Killed My Father cover art

First They Killed My Father

A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

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First They Killed My Father

By: Loung Ung
Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
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About this listen

One of seven children of a high-ranking government official, Loung Ung lived a privileged life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh until the age of five. Then, in April 1975, Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge army stormed into the city, forcing Ung's family to flee and, eventually, to disperse. Loung was trained as a child soldier in a work camp for orphans, her siblings were sent to labor camps, and those who survived the horrors would not be reunited until the Khmer Rouge was destroyed. Harrowing yet hopeful, Loung's powerful story is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality.

©2000 Loung Ung (P)2011 Tantor Asia Historical Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Southeast Asia Women Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"Ung's memoir should serve as a reminder that some history is best not left just to historians but to those left standing when the terror ends." ( Booklist)
All stars
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A very touching and descriptive tale of a child's experience of the war in cambodia. Well told and beautifully written.

Excellent

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This book is brutal, moving, tragic and the descriptions of Cambodia and the Khmer people transport you there. Be prepared for all emotions!

A must listen/read!

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After visiting the killing fields in Cambodia  near Phnom Penh and  seeing the place where so many men, women, children and babies died, I decided to learn more about what happened. This audio book tells the harrowing story of Loung Ung and the horrendous things this little girl and her family went through  during this terrible time in history. It is an amazing story.

Humans can be so evil.

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This is an autobiographical view of a young girl who has witnessed so much and experienced so much at such a young age. Luong Ung, like many young children her age was displaced from her comfortable life to that of something I could never describe the way she did in her book. Considering this was in the 1970’s, the story I am sure resonates today in the harsh and unpredictable landscape we live in today.

The book is far superior to the movie, which is amazing - but the story is more detailed from such a young naive and innocent mind and frantic and dramatic and most of all true! Although written by an older Luong, she has captured her younger selfs thoughts amazingly.

Tavia Gilbert read the story with a gift of expression that could only be captured by someone with her talents.

I truly enjoyed this story from start to finish. With tears in my eyes at many points and also a few laughs, as of course it is a child telling a story. But the times listening to this during my long flights instead of watching movies, flight attendants kept making sure I was ok as they were watching a grown man with tears In his eyes.

Simply beautiful. Engaging. Thought provoking. True.

Gripped from the first line

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excellent book and narrator. Story is absolutely heartbreaking, but something everyone should read if they think communism is a good idea

must read

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This is a significant and devastating event which is well documented but didn’t appeal to the Western media agenda at the time. Incredible account of real life events. I would recommend a listen as successfully opens your eyes in respect to the atrocities that were allowed to manifest. Makes you appreciate just how fortunate we (the readers) are and helps but life’s little inconveniences into perspective. Hats off to Loung, what a remarkable story of survival!

Compelling & Shocking

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An incredible book, never read anything quite like it. Really important to shine a spotlight on the horrors that humans are capable of inflicting on each other and the importance of family bonds.

Must read

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I’ve worked my way through a few key books about communist regimes and revolution. Whilst each has their own horrors and truly awful stories, this one plucks at the heartstrings in the voice of an innocent child who doesn’t understand why her life and home are being torn apart.

I highly recommend this to anyone who has no knowledge of the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia. This isn’t a history book, it’s a first hand account of the very real horrors and abuses that people suffered. It’s traumatic but poignant.

Traumatic, incredible.

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My wife put me into this book, she read it before a visit to Cambodia. 2 months after her return we have planned a trip there together and stated it was useful insight into the time. She would tell me it was such a difficult book to read as she had to keep stopping as she would begin to cry. I echo those words.
Genocide on such a scale a relative short time ago and the fact that I had no real idea it had occurred scares me.
This is a well documented book that tells a story of lives and those around them. Sadly there are many more that will never be told.
To the author and all those who suffered. A fitting tribute. My thanks for opening my eyes

Amazing. A truly haunting book.

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The story is incredible touching, it made me cry which normally never happens. The narrator was clear to listen to, the information of the story helps to give a clear picture.

Extremely emotional but amazingly compelling.

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