Cambodia, 1975-1978 [Paperback]

Karl D. Jackson (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 069102541X | ISBN-13: 978-0691025414 | Publication Date: March 17, 1992

One of the most devastating periods in twentieth-century history was the rule of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge over Cambodia. From April 1975 to the beginning of the Vietnamese occupation in late December 1978, the country underwent perhaps the most violent and far-reaching of all modern revolutions. These six essays search for what can be explained in the ultimately inexplicable evils perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge. Accompanying them is a photo essay that provides shocking visual evidence of the tragedy of Cambodia's autogenocide. "The most important examination of the subject so far.... Without in any way denying the horror and brutality of the Khmers Rouges, the essays adopt a principle of detached analysis which makes their conclusion far more significant and convincing than the superficial images emanating from the television or cinema screen." --Ralph Smith, The Times Literary Supplement "A book that belongs on the shelf of every scholar interested in Cambodia, revolution, or communism.... Answers to questions such as `What effect did Khmer society have on the reign of the Khmer Rouge?' focus on understanding, rather than merely describing." --Randall Scott Clemons, Perspectives on Political Science

Editorial Reviews

Review

The most important examination of the subject so far.... Without in any way denying the horror and brutality of the Khmers Rouges, the essays adopt a principle of detached analysis which makes their conclusion far more significant and convincing than the superficial images emanating from the television or cinema screen. -- The Times Literary Supplement



A book that belongs on the shelf of every scholar interested in Cambodia, revolution, or communism. -- Perspectives on Political Science

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (March 17, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 069102541X
• ISBN-13: 978-0691025414
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,479,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those who wish to go beyond Joffe's "The Killing Fields", April 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cambodia, 1975-1978 (Paperback)

A balanced, objective account of the Cambodian revolution that provides a global picture of the extraordinary and horrifying events that took place in this small country between 1975 and 1978. Fascinating essays are included on topics as diverse as the Khmer Rouge economy, ideology, and power structure, as well as the social and psychological makeup of Cambodia, the intellectual origins of the Khmer Rouge, and the pattern and scope of the almost unbelievable violence perpetrated by the revolutionary army and government. This book is refreshingly thorough and unemotional. The authors allow the facts to speak for themselves. The only drawback is the often leaden writing of Timothy Carney, a contributor of two essays. A selection of photographs is also included.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an excellent background book, November 30, 1999

By 

Al Kihano (Iskandria) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cambodia, 1975-1978 (Paperback)

This collection of essays about the Pol Pot Regime is an invaluable resource for a student of that period. It is not a very good historical overview (read Chandler's book for that), but it provides several excellent sources for analyses of specific sides of the DK regime. Particularly interesting (for me, anyway) were the chapters on the intellectual origins of the Khmer Rouge, a topic that is often mentioned but rarely explored with the depth found here.

Kenneth Quinn, one of the contributors, finished an appointment as US ambassador to Cambodia in July 1999.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent collection of essays, January 6, 2006

By 

Smallchief - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Cambodia, 1975-1978 (Paperback)

This is probably the best collection of essays you will find on the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. A limited number of expert contributions cover all aspects of the Khmer Rouge: its history, origins, ideology, use of terror, organization, and economy. A sizeable number of photographs compiled by David Hawk are included showing aspects of the atrocities perpetrated on its own people by the Khmer Rouge. One familiar but chilling photo shows the mountain of bones unearthed in a single mass grave. The Khmer Rouge reign of less than four years caused the death of more than 20 percent of Cambodians.

The success of the book is based on the limited number of contributors and their ability to express what they mean in clear, concise language. Three of the contributors are Foreign Service Officers -- Kenneth Quinn, Timothy Carney, and Charles Twinan -- who lived in Cambodia, spoke Cambodian, and are true experts on the country and the Khmer Rouge revolution. The editor also contributes two good essays -- and includes three lengthy Khmer Rouge documents in the appendices which will be of interest for readers who want to see what the KR had to say for itself. Francois Ponchaud, a French missionary who wrote the ground-breaking eye-witness account of the Khmer Rouge coming to power, "Year Zero," also contributes an essay. Read together or separately these essays and photos will give you a well rounded and accurate picture of the Khmer Rouge and its rule. It's a sad and sordid story of the most bizarre government of the 20th century.

Smallchief