Cambodia

Report From a Stricken Land

By: Henry Kamm

Narrated by: Walter Dixon

Based on his observations over three decades, Henry Kamm, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times Southeast Asia correspondent, unravels the complexities of Cambodia. Kamm's invaluable document - a factual and personal account of its troubled history - gives the Western listener the first clear understanding of this magic land's past and present.

©1998, 2011 Henry Kamm (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Good if aging material

Well written scholarly work that dives into the horrors of the Khmer Rouge and the history both before and since it’s reign in Cambodia. This book is a bit older so is starting to show its age by some of the events that are treated as relatively contemporary but the author has access to some sources and personal knowledge that make his perspective worthwhile. As for the performance, this is the second or third book I’ve come across by this reader and have no complaints, especially in a more formal/professional toned book like this.

Spectacular journalism!

A deep dive into Cambodia’s history woven alongside a gripping personal account of some of the country’s most devastating upheavals.

This book moves like a fish in water

An elegant and thorough rendering. I recommend this book to all history buffs. A tragic requiem of Cambodia’s struggles between imperialism colonialism fascism communism and royal -ism God save Cambodia

Dated, Slightly Partial, But Valuable History

The narrative style of the book works well in audio. The perspective that Kamm brings to this people's story helped me tremendously in my quest to understand said story. I wish that there were commentary for the post-2000 years for this product specifically. the tone of the writer isn't wholly impartial, so I'd say practice some self judgement when deciding your opinions on the subject. (Not that surviving a murderous regime doesn't warrant emotions)

other than that, I appreciate this book. I feel like I have come to know another facet of humanity. And I would definitely be interested to learn more about what happened after the coalition government dissolved.

Excellent work!

This is an excellent work on Cambodian history with sad conclusions on the tragic fate of this beautiful country - betrayed by its allies and its own leaders.
The only weak point is the narrator with poor French and Khmer language skills.

What an amazing book

visited Cambodia and this book allowed me to have a very open view on both historical and cultural background of the country... so pleased that I had this book before going...

Best book about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia

This is the best and most comprehensive telling of the horrors of the Khmer Rouge that I have found. It really helps convey the depths of destruction brought upon the country.

Excellent! One of the best books I have listened

to in a long time. Ut helps of course to be interested in the subject matter. Fascinating history. Highly recommended. I was a little kid in the 70s when there was always news of "people starving in Cambodia". a great lesson of what can happen if people let ideology overcome their humanity.

Informative but outdated

The description of Cambodia's history was done well, but towards the end the writer descends into journalistic melodrama, exchanging rare insights into the country's realpolitik for idealistic liberalism. Cambodia's economy has grown astonishingly over the two decades since the book was published, and the country's leaders deserve at least some credit for that.

A Solid Introduction, but Somewhat Dated

This book is an engaging and informative look at Cambodia's history, which provides, at its beginning, a quick timeline of the region's pre-modern history before delving into the bloody years of the later 20th century that made the very name of Cambodia synonymous with unspeakable brutality.
The author was an NYT correspondent, and had in his youth experienced some of the Nazi terror, a fact which he mentions a few times in passing. Such an interesting perspective almost makes me wish he had abandoned some of his journalistic impartiality and brought more of himself into the story, but in general his detachment serves him well.
The book suffers a bit from the fact that it is now almost 20 years old -- it was written as a contemporary history, and thus is due for an update. It also suffers for being seemingly the only history of Cambodia available on audible, something which I hope will be rectified soon. It is a short book, and as such is not as detailed as it could be.
I don't agree with another reviewer who claims it doesn't work well as an audiobook; it works as well as any history book, and requires some concentration; I wouldn't listen to it while driving, for instance.
Walter Dixon's performance suits the tone of the writing very well. I think both would have benefitted from a bit more emotional range, but their measured and objective styles are well suited to each other.