Sihanouk: Prince of Light, Prince of Darkness [Hardcover]

Milton E. Osborne (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Australian diplomat and writer Osborne provides a lucid narrative history of modern Cambodia as he traces the political career of Norodom Sihanouk from his ascension in 1941 as king up to the pres-ent when he once again occupies that throne after an exile of 20 years. This work is a critical, unauthorized biography that blends personal anecdotes with insightful analysis of the societal turmoil Cambodia has experienced over these decades. Presented on a sound academic basis, it nonetheless provides a compelling human tale in which Osborne judges Sihanouk to be a "Prince of Tragedy." A valuable work on a nation that has been in and out of the headlines, it is more accessible than Marie Alexandrein Martin's Cambodia: A Shattered Society (LJ 6/15/94) and belongs in both large public and all academic libraries.
James Rhodes, Luther Coll., Decorah, Ia.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Hawaii Pr (May 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824816382
• ISBN-13: 978-0824816384
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > History > Asia > Cambodia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Neither Light nor Darkness!, February 26, 2000

By 

Julio A. Jeldres (Bangkok, Thailand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sihanouk: Prince of Light, Prince of Darkness (Paperback)

Having read most, if not all, of Milton Osborne's previous books on Cambodia and S.E. Asia, I found this book a big disappointment. The author seems to have re-written chapters from a previous book and added a few new ones but did not undertake new research for this book about Prince (now King) Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia. I served as Private Secretary to King Sihanouk from 1981-1991 and I believe that the Cambodian monarch is a much misunderstood monarch. Certainly not a perfect human being but neither a "prince of darkness". It is a great pity that Osborne does not pay much attention to Sihanouk's leading role in bringing a certain peace to Cambodia.

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars illuminative; Sihanouk as self-enamored patriarch and more.., August 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Sihanouk: Prince of Light, Prince of Darkness (Paperback)

the author's description of the subject's adept manuevering between larger powers in a time of considerable instability is enlightening; Sihanouk is portrayed not only as monarchist, but politically keen and not above his own level of terroristic manipulation of events (as depicted in the Sumlaut rebellion)

3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Neither Light nor Darkness!, February 26, 2000

By 

Julio A. Jeldres (Bangkok, Thailand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sihanouk: Prince of Light, Prince of Darkness (Paperback)

Having read most, if not all, of Milton Osborne's previous books on Cambodia and S.E. Asia, I found this book a big disappointment. The author seems to have re-written chapters from a previous book and added a few new ones but did not undertake new research for this book about Prince (now King) Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia. I served as Private Secretary to King Sihanouk from 1981-1991 and I believe that the Cambodian monarch is a much misunderstood monarch. Certainly not a perfect human being but neither a "prince of darkness". It is a great pity that Osborne does not pay much attention to Sihanouk's leading role in bringing a certain peace to Cambodia and the special role he has played in protecting and nurturing the newly acquired democratic rights of all Cambodians.